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HISTORICAL  ACCOUNT 

OF    THE 

FIRST  PRESBI^TERXAMr  CHURCH 

AND  SOCIETY 


NEWBURYPORT,  MASSACHUSETTS, 

ADDRESSED 

TO  THE  CONGREGATION, 

WORSHIPPING  IN  FEDERAL  STREET, 

JU£V  9,  1826. 


BF  SAMUEL  P.  WILLIAMS. 


"  Your  Grandsires'  shades  with  jealous  eye, 
Frown  down  to  see  their  offspring  lie 
Careless,  and  lei  their"  memory  "  die." 

Walls'  Lyrics. 

The  righteous  shall  be  had  in  everlasting  remembrance. 

Word  of  God, 


0 


PtTBLlSHED    AT    THK    RKaPEST    OE    THK    CHURCH. 


SARATOGA  SPRINGS: 

PRINTED    BY    G.    M,    DAVISON. 

1826. 


«: 


MEMBERS  OF  THE 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  AND 

CONGREGATION 

IN 

NEWBURYPORT, 

THE  FOLLOWING  HISTORICAL  DISCOURSF 

IS  INSCRIBED, 

AS  A  SMALL  TOKEN 

OF  THE  INCREASING  RESPECT  AIVD  AFFECTION 


OE 


THEIR  DEVOTED  FRIEND 


AND 


PASTOR. 


^*^  Copies  of  the  discourse  are  placed  ia  the  hands  of  the  Deacons 
and  Elders  of  the  Church,  for  the  use  of  all  the  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion, free  of  expense. 


,*'• 


♦  • 


HXSTORICAIi  ACCOUNT. 


DEUTERONOMY,    XXXII,    7. 

Remember  the  days  of  old  ;  consider  the  years  of  many  gen- 
erations :  ask  thy  father  and  he  will  shew  thee,  thy  elders  and 
they  will  tell  thee. 

We  stand  on  ground,  where,  less  than  two  cen- 
turies ago,  the  savage  kindled  his  council  fire,  and 
amused  himself  in  the  frantic  dance.  Here  the  sor- 
cerer held  the  Merrimac  Sachem  in  chains  of  ignor- 
ance and  superstition,  and  successfully  taught  the 
parent  to  offer  supplications  to  Hobbamok,*  and 
to  sacrifice  his  children  to  Kichtan.t  But  God 
has  been  here,  and  by  the  instrumentality  of  your 
ancestors,  broken  the  spell  of  the  savage,  dispos- 
sessed the  heathen,  and  substituted  in  place  of  their 
barbarous  ignorance  and  idolatrous  rites,  the 
knowledge  and  worship  of  himself.  God  has  been 
here,  and  in  the  churches^  planted  thick  around 

*  Hobbamok,  according  to  tradition,  was  the  evil  spirit,  wor- 
shipped by  the  Aberginians,  in  the  form  of  a  serpent. 

t  Kichtan  was  the  chief  of  the  Indian  deities,  supposed  to  be 
the  good  spirit. 

X  From  the  first  church  in  Newbury,  planted  by  the  Rev. 
Thomas  Parker,  we  may  now  reckon  at  least  ten  branches,  with- 
in^ the  original  limits  of  that  town. 


6 

us,  given  delightful  proof  of  the  verity  of  his  word, 
and  the  sovereignty  of  his  grace.  Behold  fulfilled 
his  covenant  of  peace.  1  will  plant  them,  and 
multiply  them,  and  set  my  sanctuary  in  the  midst  of 
them  forever.  O  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  thou 
art  God  in  heaven,  thou  rulest  over  all  the  king- 
doms of  the  heathen.  Art  not  thou  our  God,  who 
didst  drive  out  the  inhabitants  of  this  land  before 
thy  people,  to  give  it  to  their  seed  forever  ?  Tell 
ye  your  children  of  it.  Hide  not  from  the  genera- 
tion to  come  the  praises  of  the  Lord,  and  his 
strength,  and  his  wonderful  works  that  he  hath 
done;  that  the  children  which  shall  be  born  may 
arise  and  declare  them  unto  their  children,  that 
they  may  set  their  hope  in  God. 

As  it  is  God  who  divides  to  his  people  their 
inheritance,  and  separates  the  sons  of  Adam,  and 
adjusts  the  bounds  of  their  habitations,  it  would  be 
an  ungrateful  requital  of  his  benefits,  and  contempt 
of  the  instructions  of  his  providence,  to  overlook 
the  hand  which  has  conducted,  or  forget  the  way 
in  which  it  has  led  them. 

Respect  to  the  memory  of  our  worthy  forefathers 
is  the  dictate  of  filial  affection.  It  is  sanctioned  by 
the  precepts  of  religion.  To  acquaint  ourselves 
and  our  children  with  their  history,  that  we  may 
revere  and  emulate  their  virtues,  and  thus  perpet- 
uate the  praises  of  Jehovah's  goodness,  is  therefore 
to  be  numbered  among  our  most  sacred  and  de- 
lightful duties. 

To  collect  and  spread  before  you  such  a  histo- 
ry of  this  religious  society,  as  the  imperfect  mate- 
rials which  remain  may  supply,  will  be  at  this  time 
an  act  of  obedience   to   the  judicatories  of  the 


church,*  as  well  as  of  homage  to  God  and  hopeful 
utility  to  you. 

The  origin  of  this  church,  the  form  and  adminis- 
tration of  its  government,  its  trials^  and  the  character 
of  its  first  pastors^  will  be  the  subjects  of  the  follow- 
ing discourse. 

1.  Its  origin. 

Of  the  Fathers  of  New-England,  it  may  be  said 
almost  without  hyperbole,  God  planted  them  whol- 
ly a  right  seed.  He  "  sifted  a  whole  nation"  for  the 
choice  grain  with  which  this  wilderness  was  sown. 
So  that,  as  the  venerable  Higginson  admonished 
the  General  Court,t  this  is  so  much  rather  a  plant- 
ation of  religion  than  of  trade,  that  he  has  as  little 
of  the  spirit  of  a  true  New-England-man  as  of  a 
Christian,  who  yields  not  to  its  religious  interests 
the  first  place  in  his  affections.  For  almost  half  a 
century  the  church  was,  in  no  very  qualified  sense, 
holiness  to  the  Lord,  Her  first  ways  and  her  first 
love  will  be  always  a  tlienie  of  grateful  exultation 
to  as  many  of  her  descendants  as  are  not  asham- 
ed of  the  gospel.  The  profession  of  her  purity  of 
doctrine,  worship  and  dicipline,  was  legible,  not  in 
her  written  standards  only,  but  in  the  life  and  con- 
versation of  her  members.  They  received  abun- 
dance of  grace  and  of  the  gift  of  righteousness,  and 
walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  comfort  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  were  edified.  A  learned  and  devoted 
ministry  adorned  the  church,  and  a  prevalent  re- 
gard to  christian  morals  characterized  the  magis- 
trate and  the  citizen.    But  religion,  like  literature, 

*  See  circular  of  the  agent  of  general  assembly  totbepres- 
byterian  churches,  within  the  bounds  of  the  synod  of  Albany  and 
the  New-England  states,  Feb.  1826, 

t  Election  sermon,  1663. 


arts  and  trade,  has  its  periods  of  revival  and   de- 
cline.    Before  the  first  generation  had  universally 
found  a  quiet  grave,  the  voice  of  gratulation  and 
thanksgiving   was   succeeded  by  that  of  lamenta- 
tion and  complaint.     Many  of  the  faithful  watch- 
men who  lived  to  witness   the  change,  have  left 
their  testimony  to  a  visible  decay  of  the  power  of 
religion  from  the  year  1670.    And  after  all  the  first 
generation  had   departed,  it  was  publicly  declar- 
ed that  the  grand  object  of  the  colonists  was  not 
generally  pursued  by   their  children.     That  con- 
versions were  rare,  immoralities  common  among 
all  orders  of  men,  and  that  the  churches  were   in 
a  languishing  condition.     That  family  worship  and 
the  religious  education  of  children  were  neglected, 
and  that  a  general  defection  from  primitive  purity 
among  the  people  and  their  pastors,   had  become 
too  obvious  to  be  denied.*    In  the  strong  language 
of  Mather,  1702,  the  modern  Christianity  was  "  but 
a  spectre  of  the  ancient."     Partial   reformations 
succeeded  the  efforts  which  were  made  to  recov- 
er the  country  from  this  sickly  state,  but  were  fol- 
lowed by  still  greater  coldness  and  security.    The 
memorable  revival  of  religiont  which  renovated 
the  face  of  society  in  New-England,  and  filled  the 

*  See  Perils  of  the  Times,  by  President  Willard,  and  Prince's 
Christian  History. 

t  Of  the  character  of  this  work,  68  clergymen  convened  in 
Boston,  July,  1743,  for  the  purpose  of  enquiring  into  its'  nature, 
wave  their  decided  approbation  ;  and  attestations  to  its  genuine- 
ness were  soon  after  added  by  48  ministers,  to  satisfy  the  ill 
informed  and  incredulous,  that  whatever  extravagance  and  dis- 
order may  accompany  a  revival  of  religion,  the  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  distinguishable  from  that  of  the  imagination,  and 
is  alike  honorable  to  God  and  productive  of  the  happiest  moral 
effects  upon  the  hearts  and  lives  of  its  subjects. 


wise  of  both  liemispheres  with  gladness,  commenc- 
ed at  Northampton,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Jonathan  Edwards,  and  was  much  extended  by 
the  publication  of  his  narrative  in  1736.  Its  pro- 
gress was  also  furthered  by  the  preaching  of  Mr. 
Whitfield,*  Mr.  Tennent  and  other  itinerants  of 
kindred  zeal  and  excellence,  though  less  popular, 
and  of  consequence  less  extensively  applauded 
and  defamed.  Those  men  were  reformers,  not 
sectarians.  They  sought  not  the  erection  of  a  new 
temple,  but  a  repair  of  the  deserted,  ivy-mantled 
edifice  which  the  fathers  had  reared.  Or  if  secta- 
rianism characterized  their  preaching,  it  differed 
imperceptibly  in  its  objects  and  effects,  from  that 
of  the  harbinger,  and  the  apostles  of  Christ.  It  was 
adapted  to  the  necessities  of  the  times,  and  admi- 
rably fitted  to  remove  the  spirit  of  slumber  from 
the  churches.t  Whitfield  was  a  child  of  the  estab- 
lished church,  baptized  and  nurtured  by  her  hands, 
and  without  overweaning  attachment  to  his  nurse, 
loved  and  maintained  the  doctrines  she  had  taught 

*  Mr.  Whitfield  commenced  ins  labors  in  JNew-England  in 
1740,  when  about  20  years  of  age,  and  though  the  young  itin- 
erant needed  rather  letters  of  commendation  from  the  stated 
pastor,  the  following  notice  of  Mr.  Edwards,  in  his  journal,  dis, 
covers  something  of  his  early  discernment  and  piety.  The 
memory  of  the  "  successor  and  grandson  to  the  great  Stoddard, 
will  be  always  precious  to  me.  A  solid  excellent  Christian.  I 
think  I  may  say  I  have  not  seen  his  equal  in  all  New-England." 

t  The  Rev.  Mr.  Shurtlifi;  of  the  2d  church  in  Portsmouth, 
(N.  H.)  June  1,  1743,  testifies  that  "  Mr.  Whitfield's  and  Mr. 
Tennent's  visit  was  blessed  of  God  to  very  many,  in  leading 
them  to  shako  off  their  heavy  slumbers ;"  notwithstanding 
Whitfield  himself  remarks  in  his  journal,  that  though  he  preach- 
ed to  "  a  polite  auditory"  in  that  town,  he  began  to  question 
Avhether  he  had  been  speaking  to  rational  creatures. 

B 


10' 

him,  according  to  the  exposition  of  her  evangelical 
clergy.     But  some  of  you  have  heard   him   your- 
selves, and  can  testify  with  his  cotemporary  fel- 
low laborers,  in  the  language  of  Doct.  Sewall,  that 
while  his  manner  "  was  moving,  earnest,  winning, 
melting,  the  matter  was  none  other  than  those  vi- 
tal truths  which  animated  all  the  martyrs,  and  led 
the  hearer  into  the  views  of  that  inward  active  pi- 
ety," which  the  mighty  power  of  God  alone  produ- 
ces.    He  could  collect  an  audience  of  many  thou- 
sands, without  offering  a  single  novel  doctrine  as 
a  bribe.    For,  said  Doct.  Colman,  "  We  preach  the 
same  Christ,  the  same  doctrines  of  grace,  and  ac- 
cording to  godliness,  with  the  same  gospel  motives 
and  arguments,  applications  to  conscience,  suppli- 
cations to  God  for  you."     His  first  sermon  in  this 
place,  was  preached  on  the  10th  September,  1740, 
in  the  presence  of  many  ministers,  and  with  much 
effect.t  The  revival  in  this  county  commenced  the 
following  year  :  and  to  the  spirit  of  fervid  piety  and 
zeal,  aroused  by  the  instrumentality  of  such  men, 
we  trace  the  origin  of  this  religious  society.     The 
earliest  notice  of  any  of  its  members   which  is  to 
be  found,  is  on  the  records  of  ♦he  first  church  in 
Newbury,  in  the  hand  writing  of  the  Rev.  Christo- 
pher Toppan,  and  is  the  last   public   act  of  the 

*  Sermon  at  the  opening  of  an  evening  lecture  in  Brattle 
street,  Boston,  Oct.  21,  1740. 

t  At  one  of  his  lectures  in  front  of  the  first  meeting  house  of 
this  society,  a  stone  was  thrown  at  the  j)reacher,  which  falling 
short  of  This  person,  had  well  nigh  struck  the  Bible  from  his 
hand.  His  reply  to  this  unprovoked  assault  was  worthy  of  the 
follower  of  the  great  Master  of  as  semblies.  "  I  have  a  war- 
rant from  God,"  said  he,  "  to  preach.  His  seal  (holding  up  the 
Bible)  is  in  my  hand,  and  I  stand  in  the  King's  highway  ' 


11 

f 

church  recorded  by  that  venerable  man.     It  is  as 
follows : 

At  a  legal  church  meeting,  June  6,  1744,  it  was 
voted  unanimously  in  the  affirmative,  that  "  where- 
as  several  of  our  brethren  in  the  first  church  in 
Newbury,  have  separated  themselves  from   com- 
munion  with   said   church,  it  is  desired  that  said 
separating  brethren  would  give  in  their  reasons  to 
said  church,  why,  or  for  what  reason  they  have 
separated,  at  the  next  meeting;  every   separate 
member  to  give  in  his  reason  in  particular  by  him- 
self"    In  reference  to  the  same  persons,  it  is  sta- 
ted by  the  Rev.  John  Tucker,   who  became  col- 
league pastor  with  Mr.  Toppan,  on  the  20th  Nor. 
the  following  year,  that  before  his  labors  commenc- 
ed, a  large  separation,  especially   from  Mr.  Low- 
ell's* and  Mr.  Toppan's  meetings,  had  taken  place. 
That  these  people  had  built  a  meeting  housef  near 
the  line  between  the  two  parishes,  in   which  they 
usually  attended  public  worship,  chiefly  first,  un- 
der the  performances  of  Mr.  Joseph  Adams,  then  a 
young  zealous  new-light  preacher,  and  afterwards, 
under  those  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Parsons,  who 
succeeded   Mr.  Adams,  and  who,  he  adds,  is  still 
the  head  of  this  separate  people,  though  in  anoth- 
er house.     Nearly  or  quite  one  third  of  the  parish 
where  I  am,  were  concerned   in  this  separation.! 

*  The  Rev.  John  Lowell  was  the  first  pastor  of  the  3d  parish 
in  Newbury,  now  the  first  congregational  society  in  Newbury- 
port,  and  was  ordained,  Jan.  19,  1725. 

t  The  house  referred  to  by  Mr.  Tucker,  stood  in  High  street ; 
and  becoming  too  small  for  the  congregation,  was  taken  down, 
and  the  present  place  of  worship  erected  in  1766. 

I  Tucker's  Brief  Account,  p.  27. 


12 

The  reasons  demanded  by  the  church,  of  Ihe 
members  who  had  withdrawn,  were  exhibited  to 
the  pastor,  but  make  no  part  of  the  records  of  ei- 
ther church ;  and  being  in  the  form  of  charges,  which 
were  never  submitted  to  a  mutual  council,  need  not 
now  be  exposed.  The  pastor,  however,  submit- 
ted them  to  a  council  selected  by  the  church  and 
himself,  to  advise  to  measures  proper  to  be  pursued. 
This  council,  admitting  the  explanations  of  the 
pastor,  deemed  the  charges  unsupported,  and  de- 
clared it  the  duty  of  the  aggrieved  to  make  con- 
cessions and  return  to  the  communion  of  the  church. 
But  they  had  not  been  heard,  even  before  the 
church,  and  considering  the  advice  of  council  gra- 
tuitous, the  breach  was  not  repaired :  and  the 
church  thinking  it  unnecessary  to  proceed  to  dis- 
ciplinary measures,  the  aggrieved  considered 
themselves  orderly  withdrawn. 

In  the  year  preceding  the  session  of  this  council, 
a  considerable  number  of  the  church  under  the 
care  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lowell,  38  of  which  were  male 
members,  withdrew  from  their  communion.  The 
church  declared  their  reasons  insufficient,  and  de- 
clined to  grant  their  subsequent  request  for  a  dis- 
mission. As  they  had  been  premature  in  this  step, 
though  they  supposed  they  had  the  best  human  au- 
thority for  it,*  the  church  cited  them  to  appear  be- 
fore them  for  admonition,  but  the  citation  was  not 

*"  If  particular  persons  cannot  agree  with  the  major  part, 
they  may  make  their  remonstrance  and  be  dismissed,  if  they 
cannot  continue  there  with  tolerable  satisfaction  ;  or  they  may 
withdraw  to  another  congregation,  if  they  are  aggrieved  and  the 
society  refuse  to  dismiss  them.  Such  a  liberty  must  be  main- 
tained,"— Watts'  Foundation  of  a  Christian  Chvrch. 


13 

literally  obeyed ;  and  it  does  not  appear  that  the 
church  proceeded  to  any  higher  censure.* 

On  the  third  of  January,  1746, 19  persons  united 
themselves  in  form,  as  a  distinct  church,  by  sign- 
ing an  appropriate  instrument;!  and  on  the  7th, 
presented  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Parsons,  in 
these  laconic  terms : 

"  Rev.  sir, — By  these  we  inform  you  that  we 
have  formed  ourselves  into  a  church,  and  as  such, 
we  now  hereby  signify  our  desire,  that  you  would 
accept  of  the  Pastoral  office  over  us.  In  expecta- 
tion of  your  answer,  with  prayers  for  the  direction 
and  blessing  of  heaven  in  this  affair,  we  rest  your 
hearty  friends  and  brethren  in  the  gospel  of  Christ. 

C.   PIERCE,  )  Committee  of  the 

M.  BRADSTREET,    )  new    Church   in 
I.  BROWN,  )        Newbury." 

Having  chosen  their  clerk  and  deacons,  a  plat- 
form of  church  discipline  and  covenant  were 
adopted,  and  on  the  26th  Feb.  signed  by  males  24, 
females  21  4  to  which  have  been  since  added  the 
signatures  of  198  male  and  48o  female  members; 
making  an  aggregate  of  731,  of  whom  about  200 
are  with  us  "  to  this  present,  and  the  rest  are  fall- 
en asleep"  or  removed  to  other  churches. 

The  first  church  in  Newbury  did  not  observe 
these  movements  with  indifference,  but  passed  the 
following  resolution  in  reference  to  Mr.  Parsons: 
"  That  it  is  disorderly  to  officiate  as  a  minister  on 
the  Lord's  day,  to  those  who  belong  to  this  and 
other  churches ;  and  that  they  signify  to  him,  that 
as  a  church  they  are  offended  with  him;  that  if  he 

*  Extracts,  records  1st  church,  furnished  by  the  Rev.  John 
Andrews,  D.  D. 

t  Appendix  i.  |  Appendix  n. 


14 

do  not  rel'rain,  it  is  their  duty  to  exhibit  a  com- 
plaint against  him  to  the  church  he  is  related  to. 
They  also  resolved  to  inquire  into  his  misconduct 
whereby  he  has  rendered  himself  unacceptable  to 
his  (former)  people."* 

The  representations  unfavorable  to  the  charac- 
ter of  Mr,  Parsons,  which,  by  a  propensity  com- 
mon to  communities  of  conflicting  interests,  found 
a  readier  currency  than  proof  among  the  adversa- 
ries of  the  new  church,  were  promptly  met  and 
checked  by  the  members,  in  the  following  resolu> 
lions,  viz: 

1.  That  notwithstanding  all  those  representa- 
tions which  have  been  spread  abroad,  tending  to 
disserve  Mr.  Parson's  character  and  hurt  his  influ- 
ence, they  are  in  full  charity  with  him,  and  from 
the  judgment  of  the  (dismissing)  council  and  his 
recommendatory  letters  before  them,  they  are  fully 
satisfied  that  his  religious  and  ministerial  charac- 
ter ought  in  justice,  to  be  esteemed  blameless  and 
unsullied  among  the  churches  of  Christ. 

2.  That  the  church  is  willing,  from  the  acquaint- 
ance they  have  with  him,  and  the  letters  received 
from  ministers  and  churches,  to  admit  him  to  their 
communion  in  good  standing. 

3.  That  ihey  look  upon  him  authorized  by  so- 
lemn separation  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry, 
to  do  the  whole  work  of  such  an  office  in  any 
branch  of  the  church  desiring  the  same. 

4.  That  they  do  now  publicly  renew  their  call 
to  him,  desiring  him  to  take  the  orersight  of  them. 

5.  That,  on  his  public  acceptance  of  their  call, 
they  will  submit  to  him  under  Christ  as  their  Pas- 

*  Records  1st  Church  in  Newburv. 


tor,  vested  with  a  gospel  right  over  the  church, 
to  read,  expound  and  preach  the  word,  administer 
the  seals  of  the  covenant  and  the  ordinance  of  ho- 
ly discipline,  according  to  the  constitution  of  the 
church. 

The  congregation,  at  the  same  time,  expressed 
their  satisfaction  in  Mr.  Parson's  moral,  religious 
and  ministerial  character,  and  concurred  in  the 
call,  promising  submission  to  him  in  all  his  lawful 
administrations.  No  further  proceedings  on  the 
part  of  the  church  and  society,  in  relation  to  his 
settlement,  are  recorded;  and  it  is  probable  the 
rites  of  installation  were  dispensed  with  by  the 
church,  and  that  the  complaint  against  him  by  the 
first  church  in  Newbury  was  relinquished  as  un- 
founded. 

The  separatists  from  Mr.  Lowell's  church,  now 
the  new  church  was  organized,  petitioned  for  a 
transfer  of  their  relation  to  it,  and  were  refused ; 
on  the  ground,  first,  that  they  had  violated  coven- 
ant obligations,  and  secondly,  that  the  new  church 
had  not  been  established  agreeable  to  gospel  or- 
der and  custom  of  the  churches.  They  then  peti- 
tioned the  new  church  for  admission  to  their  com- 
munion, without  the  usual  recommendation ;  and  af- 
ter long  delay,  and  a  conviction  that  no  further  pro- 
ceedings against  them  were  in  contemplation  by 
Mr.  Lowell's  charge,  this  church  received  and 
adopted  them. 

2.  The  government  of  this  church,  and  its  ad- 
ministration, is  the  next  topic  of  distinct  considera- 
tion. Its  founders  very  justly  considering  govern- 
ment as  an  official  business,  no  less  in  the  church 
than  in  the  state,  provided  in  their  platform  a  shield 


16 

for  themselves  and  their  successors,  both  against  a 
despotic  government  and  a  pure  democracy.  They 
found  the  representative  form  to  have  existed  both 
in  the  Jewish  and  Christian  church,  and  adopted 
it.  To  this,  they  have  ever  adhered  as  the  most 
safe  and  expedient  for  them^  in  temperate  but  firm 
resistance  of  all  attempts  to  bring  them  back  to 
Congregationalism.  They  had  suffered  too  serious 
evils  vrhile  connected  with  other  churches,  for  want 
of  a  judicatory  to  which  they  might  resort  under 
their  grievances,  to  expose  themselves  again  to  em- 
barrassment ;  and  it  is  a  comm.endable  feature  in 
this  society,  that  though  surrounded  by  a  commu- 
nity of  different  views,  it  has  always  co-operated 
with  the  church,  to  facilitate  the  execution  of  all 
its  measures  accordant  with  its  ecclesiastical  con- 
stitution. In  reply  to  a  communication  on  the  sub- 
ject of  presbyterian  government  from  one  of  their 
candidates  while  under  a  call  for  settlement,  the 
church  voted  unanimously,  after  candid  and  ma- 
ture consideration,  "  that  we  still  adhere  to  our  con- 
stitution and  connexion  with  the  Presbytery,"  ad- 
ding in  the  catholic  spirit,  which  they  continue  to 
maintain,  "we  desire  to  hold  ministerial  and  church 
communion  with  such  other  ministers  and  church- 
es, as  are  united  with  us  in  the  great  fundamental 
doctrines  of  the  gospel,  in  the  same  way  as  hereto- 
fore." 

The  organization  of  the  church  was  completed 
by  the  election  of  6  ruling  elders,  April  7,  1746. 
In  the  following  August,  it  resolved  to  present  a  re- 
quest to  be  admitted  to  Mr.  Morehead's  Presbyte- 
ry ;  but  for  reasons  not  assigned,  the  overture  was 
withheld  until  Sept.  J74B,  when,  "  at  a  meeting  of 


it 

the  church  collective,  after  sermon  and  prayers,  it 
Was  debated  whether  all  were  freely  willing  to  be 
annexed  to  said  Presbytery.  And  after  discours- 
ing with  love  and  calmness  upon  it  for  more  than 
an  hour,  a  question  was  proposed  and  deliberate- 
ly read  over  three  times  in  the  following  words, 
viz.  Whether  upon  mature  deliberation  the  church 
does  consent  to  be  annexed  to  said  Presbytery,  in 
case  they  can  satisiy  the  elders  of  this  church,  re- 
specting their  coming  off  from  the  other  Presbyte- 
ry to  which  they  formerly  belonged,  appear  really 
desirous  of  receiving  us — make  no  difficulty  about 
our  choosing  our  elders  annually— -don't  bind  any 
respecting  the  form  of  administering  and  receiving 
the  sacraments,* — appear  to  be  hearty  friends  to 
the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  as  contained  in 
the  Westminster  confession  and  catechisms,  and  to 
the  power  of  godliness. 

Voted  in  the  affirmative,  no  man  opposing  W^ 

From  that  period,  this  church  has  been  known 

as  the  first  presbyterian  church  in  Newburyport^ 

and  was  generally  represented  in  Presbytery.t    It 

was  not,  however,  until  the  year  1802,  that  it  form- 


*  Alluding  probably  to  sitting  at  table,  and  the  ancient  cus^' 
torn  of  requiring  tokens. 

t  Until  April,  1776,  commissioners  were  appointed  to  attend 
Presbytery  in  Newbury,  Pelham,  Londonderry,  Boston,  Palm- 
er, Salem  and  Seabrook ;  and  afterwards  having  resolved  to  join 
the  Eastern  Presbytery  on  condition  they  should  be  required  to 
meet  them  no  further  east  than  Newmarket,  nor  westward  than 
Boston,  the  church  sent  commissioners  to  Pownalboro',  New- 
Market,  Falmouth,  (then  including  the  town  of  Portland,)  Tops- 
ham,  Windham,  Cape  Elizabeth,  Amcsbury,  Seabrook,  Candia 
NeW'Boston,  fee. 

C  -fc 


]8 

all^^  adopted  the  constitution  of"  the  presbyterian 
church  in  the  U.  S. 

Having  protested*  against  the  proceedings  of 
the  Presb^^tery  at  their  meeting  in  Seabrook,  and 
formally  withdrawn  its  connexion,  the  church 
sent  two  commissioners  to  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Eastward,  with  a  request  that  it  might  be  received 
into  their  body,  and  that  the  name  of  Presbytery 
might  be  changed  to  that  of  the  Presbytery  of  New- 
buryport. 

The  following  is  the  minute  of  their  doings  on 
the  subject,  certified  by  the  clerk  of  Presbytery, 
as  a  true  copy  from  the  records. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  the  Eastward, 
at  Brunswick,  May  8th,  1776,  a  supplication  from 
the  presbyterian  church  in  Newburyport  was  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  J.  Pearson  their  elder,and  read, shew- 
ing that  said  church  is  constituted  according  to  the 
presbyterian  platform,  and  now  unconnected  with 
any  regular  judicatory,  having  by  solemn  declina- 
ture, publickly  and  expressly  withdrawn  from  the 
late  Presbytery  of  Boston,  and  praying  for  reasons 
therein  mentioned,  that  the  said  church  and  con- 
gregation with  its  Rev.  Pastor,  may  be  received 
into  special  watch  and  care  ©f  this  Presbytery  as 
a  member  of  said  body. 

This  Presbytery  knowing  the  said  church  to  be 
a  regular  presbyterian  society,  and  worthy  of  an^ 
honorable  standing  among  the  churches  of  Christ, 
cheerfully  consented  to  receive  it,  and  their  elder 
being  commissioned  to  act  in  their  name,  was  call- 
ed up;  the  constitution  of  this  Presbytery  was  read 

'^-  .^ippendix  nr. 


19 

to  hifii,  and  he  acceded  thereto.  Whereupon  the 
formula  was  presented  and  signed  by  him,  in  the 
name  and  behalf  of  his  church  and  pastor,  as  fol- 
lows, viz. : 

I  do  hereby  solemnly  declare  that  I  believe  the 
doctrines  contained  in  the  Westminster  confession 
and  larger  and  shorter  catechisms  to  be  founded  up- 
on and  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God,  and  as  such 
I  acknowledge  them  for  the  confession  of  my  faith ; 
and  the  plan  of  government  contained  in  the  direc- 
tory thereto  annexed,  to  be  for  substance  agreea- 
ble to  said  divinely  revealed  standard,  and  to  it 
I  promise  to  conform.  And  I  also  engage  subjec- 
tion to  the  discipline  of  the  church  of  Christ  in  all 
its  parts,  in  this  Presbytery,  and  any  other  judica- 
tories with  which  it  may  be  connected  in  the  Lord. 

Given  under  my  hand, 

JEREMIAH  PEARSON. 

Whereupon  the  said  church  and  congregation 
with  its  pastor  is  received  as  a  member  of  this  bo- 
dy ;  and  he  took  his  seat  accordingly. 

In  April,  1775,  a  proposal  was  sent  down  to  the 
churches  for  their  approbation  of  a  plan  to  form  a 
Synod  as  the  highest  judicature  of  the  presbyteri- 
an  churches  in  New-England,  until  a  general  as- 
sembly should  be  formed ;  taking  the  standing  rules 
of  the  church  of  Scotland,  as  contained  in  Stew- 
art's collections,  for  their  rule  of  discipline,  so  far 
as  local  circumstances  would  allow,  and  praying 
the  friendship  and  acknowledgment  of  the  Synod 
of  New- York  and  Philadelphia  in  christian  and 
ministerial  communion  and  correspondence.*  The 

*  To  accomplisli  this  object,  it  was  proposed  that  the  Boston 
Presbytery  should  be  thus  divided  : 
The  Rev.  .Tonathan  Parsons,  I>r.  Whitaker,  Samuel  Perley, 


•20 


decision  on  the  question  of  establishing  the  pro- 
posed Synod  was  to  be  had  at  Seabrook,  May  31, 
1775.  Against  the  scheme  as  proposed,  the  ses- 
sion voted  to  object,  excepting  to  six  articles,  in 
the  plan  of  union  proposed. 

At  a  convention  of  delegates  from  the  Presbyte- 
ries of  Nevi^-England  at  EUrtmouth  college  chapel, 
Aug.  24,  1792,  viz.  the  first  Presbytery  of  the  East- 

>  ward,  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbytery  of  New- 
England  and  the  Grafton  Presbytery,  the  attempt 
to  form  a  Synod  was  renewed,  preliminary  articles 
of  union  submitted  to  the  Presbyteries,  and  order- 
ed to  be  sent  down  to  their  respective  churches 
for  consideration,  and  the  whole  subject  referred 
to  a  convention  to  be  assembled  at  Pembroke  in 

,  the  following  June.  On  the  subject  of  this  pro- 
posed union,  the  session  declined  to  deliberate  and 
to  act,  the  church  being  then  without  a  pastor. 

To  the  proposed  division  of  the  Londonderry 
Presbytery  sent  down  to  the  churches  in  1825, 
the  session,  after  a  free  conference  with  the  church 

Alexander  M'Lean  and  Thomas  Pier6e,  with  their  congrega- 
tions, and  also  the  congregation  of  Boston,  now  under  the  care 
of  this  Presbytery,  with  the  other  vacancies  in  their  bounds,  to- 
gether with  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Balch,  shall  be  the  Eastern 
Presbytery,  called  the  Presbytery  of  Newburyport. 

Messrs.  David  M'Gregor,  Daniel  Mitchell,  Simon  Williams 
and  John  Strickland,  with  their  congregations,  together  with 
the  vacancies  under  their  care,  shall  be  the  middle  Presbytery, 
called  the  Presbytery  of  Londonderry. 

That  Messrs.  John  Houston,  Moses  Baldwin,  with  their  con- 
gregations, together  with  the  congregations  of  Blanford,  Pel- 
ham  and  Colrain,  also  Messrs.  Aaron  Hutchinson,  Nathaniel 
Merrill,  George  Gilmore  and  Joseph  Patrick,  be  the  Western 
Presbvterv  called  the  PicFbvterv  of  Palmer 


It* 


21 


collective,  unanimously  acceded,  and  the  Presby- 
tery having  consented  to  a  two-fold  division,  the 
measure  waits  only  the  approbation  of  the  Synod 
at  its  next  stated  meetino:. 

In  the  administration  of  the  government  of  this 
church,  it  would  be  strange  if,  in  circumstances  so 
peculiar,  no  errors  had  been  committed  nor  irreg- 
ularities practiced  :  and  it  is  due  to  its  numerous 
officers*  to  say,  that  they  appear  to  have  officiated 
with  diligence  and  fidelity;  and  having  ruled  well, 
were  fitly  accounted  worthy  of  double  honor.  Some 
of  the  early  acts  of  session,  and  usages  of  the  church 
were  the  obvious  result  of  inexperience,  and  want 
of  the  standards,  difficult  at  that  time  to  be  obtain- 
ed. Their  call  of  a  deposed  minister — their  as- 
sumption of  independence  of  the  judicatory  with 
which  they  were  connected — their  reception  of 
members  of  other  churches  without  the  consent  of 
such  churches— making  a  public  relation  of  reli- 
gious experience  an  indispensable  condition  of  ad- 
mission to  church  privileges — a  confession  of  par- 
ticular sins  committed  before  a  profession  of  repent- 
ance— and  1  may  add,  the  practice  of  admitting  the 
children  of  unbelievers  to  the  sacrament  of  bap- 
tism, will  doubtless  be  generally  viewed  by  others, 
as  it  is  now  by  the  church  itself,  as  both  inexpedi- 
ent and  unwarrantable.  To  some  of  these  prac- 
tices of  the  church,  the  successor  of  Mr.  Parsons 
objected  before  his  acceptance  of  their  call;  par- 
ticularly, allowing  the  elders  to  administer  the  gov- 
ernment without  ordination;  laxity  in  admitting 
members  to  the  sacraments,  and  in  enforcing  cat- 
echetical instruction,  &c. ;  all  which    objections 

""  Appendix  tv. 


were  obviated  by  a  resolution  ol"  tlie  session  ex- 
pressing its  desire  of  a  reform.  On  the  subject  oi" 
baptism,  sundry  resolutions*  were  adopted  in  Aug. 
1782,  which  promised  a  remedy  for  the  evils  of  a 
practice  involving  a  church  in  inextricable  difFicnl- 
ties.  Resolutions,  however,  which  appear  well  on 
the  record,  like  the  wholesome  civil  laws  which 
adorn  the  statute-book,  do  the  government  little 
honor  and  the  people  little  benefit,  if  never  carried 
into  effect.  After  frequent  conference  and  much 
discussion,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  con- 
sider, and  report,  what  is  necessary  to  be  done 
for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  true  interests  of  his 
church  in  a  right  administration  of  government  and 
discipline.  Nearly  10  years  elapsed  before  the 
contemplated  reform  was  fully  effected.! 

Generally,  notwithstanding,  the  spiritual  inter- 
ests of  the  congregation  were  faithfully  pursued, 
and  the  administration  characterized  by  impar- 
tiality, gentleness  and  zeal.  Mindful  of  the  trust 
reposed  in  them,  the  elders  kept  a  strict  guard 
over  the  purity  of  the  church  ;  explaining  to  can- 

*  Appendix  v. 

t  It  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  noted  that  a  number  of  the  session 
very  faithfully  urged  such  reform,  appealing  to  the  views  of 
Mr.  Edwards,  among  other  divines,  and  the  practice  of  many 
churches,  as  well  as  to  their  own  previous  resolves.  To  which 
were  opposed  the  objections,  that  this  church  throughout  Mr. 
Parson's  day,  and  during  the  revival  of  religion,  continued  the 
practice  ;  and  that  circumcision  was  positively  commanded  with- 
out respect  to  qualification  in  the  parent ;  and  after  the  renewed 
discussion  of  the  subject  in  1737,  it  was  resolved,  that  an  as- 
sent to  the  doctrines,  &c.  with  a  sober  life,  was  sufficient  for 
admitting  baptized  persons  to  scaling  ordinances. 


23 

didates  for  communion  the  obligations  of  the  cov»' 
enant,  enquiring  strictly  into  their  morals,  and 
suffering  none  to  be  hastily  received. 

By  a  resolution  of  session  1780,  an  exemplary 
regard  to  the  law  of  the  sabbath  was  enjoined, 
and  against  public  breaches  of  it,  a  solemn  pro-* 
test  entered  on  the  record  ;  particularly  the  habit 
of  standing  and  talking  about  the  meeting  house, 
before  the  commencement  of  public  worship.  No 
species  of  visible  immorality  escaped  rebuke. 
Neglect  of  family  worship,  rash  judging  one  of 
another,  and  especially  of  the  pastor  ;  misconduct 
towards  parents  ;  connivance  at  other  men's  sins, 
uimecessary  absence  from  public  worship,  and 
countenancing  disorderly  preachers,  are  among 
the  sins  of  professors  whose  reproof  stands  record- 
ed, in  evidence  of  the  fidelity  of  the  administration. 
It  was  ordered  by  session,  that  every  member 
take  special  care  to  strengthen  his  brother's  hands 
in  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  common  trust ;  and 
the  better  to  fulfil  this  duty,  each  elder  had  a  por- 
tion of  the  people  assigned  him  as  his  particular 
charge,  and  bound  himself  to  seek,  assiduously, 
in  his  district,  the  spiritual  interests  of  the  congre- 
gation. They  acted  like  men,  habitually  governed 
by  asense  of  accountableness  to  God,  and  actuated 
by  a  faith  producing  the  legitimate  fruits  of  love  to 
men.  Under  such  culture,  this  garden  of  God  was 
arrayed  in  beauty,  the  plants  of  righteousness 
sent  forth  vigorous  shoots  and  brought  forth  fruit 
in  their  season.  But  not  always  thus.  The  spiritu- 
ality and  activity,  the  intimate  communion  in  love, 
the  prayerfulness,  self  denial  and  holy  zeal,  by 
which  the  earlier  members  of  the  church  wcrf 


24 

distinguished,  were  less  apparent  in  their  suc- 
cessors. When  I  compare  in  point  of  religion, 
the  members  departed,  with  those  who  have  aris- 
en to  fill  their  places,  there  appears  no  greater 
resemblance  than  was  once  found  between  the 
first  temple  and  the  second.* 

The  session  did  not  confine  its  efforts  for  the 
prosperity  of  Zion,  to  this  congregation.  Many 
attempts  were  made  to  excite  a  spirit  of  missions, 
in  behalf  of  the  destitute  settlements,  and  to  sup- 
ply the  waste  places  on  the  eastern  border,  though, 
for  want  of  co-operation  in  other  churches,  less 
was  effected  than  attempted.  Through  the  im- 
portunity of  the  session  with  Presbytery,  one  of 
the  benevolent  societies  in  Boston  was  at  length 
prevailed  upon  to  petition  the  General  Court  on 
the  subject,  and  something  was  done  for  the  relief 
of  the  destitute.  The  plan,  also,  of  aiding  indi- 
gent young  men,  in  their  education  for  the  minis- 
try, recommended  by  Presbytery  in  1783,  met 
with  encouragement  in  session,  and  a  subscription 
was  long  kept  open  for  this  object  in  the  hands  of 
the  pastor  and  each  elder,  not  without  success. 
For  in  all  well  concerted  measures  to  promote 
improvement  abroad,  no  less  than  for  the  main- 
tenance of  religious  institutions  at  home,  the  con- 
gregation has  liberally  co-operated ;  and  God  for- 
bid it  should  ever  lose  its  claim  to  so  honorable 
a  coramendation.t 

To  the  evidence  already  before  us  of  the  in- 
tense solicitude  with  which  the  government  watch- 
ed for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  congregation, 

*Murray's  sermon,  funeral  of  Elder  Cros?, 
*  Appendix  Vi. 


25 

and  waited  for  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  man  to  ap- 
pear in  his  glory,  may  be  added  ihe  address  to 
the  congregation  in  January,  1717,*  and  the  reso- 
lution of  1775.1 

The  address  of  the  elders,  also,  on  resigning 
their  charge  in  1781,i:  though  too  long  to  be  re- 
peated at  this  time,  furnishes  ample  proof  of  their 
conscientious  regard  to  the  interests  of  the  con- 
gregation, and  is  worthy  of  solemn  review  by  the 
present  generation. 

The  prompt  and  unwearied  efforts  of  the  session 
to  supply  the  pulpit  in  every  exigence  occasioned 
by  the  inability  or  absence  of  the  pastor,  and  to 
provide  a  successor  on  his  removal ;  their  press- 
ing appeals  to  individuals  and  to  Presbytery,  and 
their  long  and  expensive  journeys  and  extensive 
correspondence  to  effect  these  objects,  bear  hon- 
orable testimony  both  to  their  personal  piety,  and 
official  fidelity.|| 

In  concluding  these  topics,  the  origin,  govern- 
ment and  administration  of  this  churcii,  we  cannot 
forbear  to  testify,  that  its  founders  and  officers 
were  men  of  sound,  independent  and  resolute 
minds,  as  well  as  upright  hearts  ;  and  it  is  remark- 
able, not  so  much  that  they  fell  into  some  mis- 
takes, as  that,  under  all  their  disadvantages,  and 
without  any  assistant  church  or  pastor  to  guide 
them,  they  should  have  so  well  succeeded  in  es- 

*Appendix  vii.  tAppendix  viii.  ^Appendix  iv. 

11  Letters  and  messengers  were  sent  to  President  Styles^ 
Dr.  Sproat  of  Philadelphia,  and  to  Gen.  Parsons,  the  command- 
re  of  the  brigade  in  which  ]\Ir.  Timothy  D wight  was  chaplain, 
earnestly  intreating  their  aid  in  procuring  tiiem  a  suitable 
successor  to  Mr.Pars'ons. 

D 


26 

tablishing  and  inaiiitainii)g  the  rights  and  interests, 
the  principles  and  privileges,  of  a  church,  then 
singular  in  its  views  both  of  the  power  of  religion 
and  the  form  of  its  government.* 

Their  character,  however,  will  develope  itself 
still  more  clearly,  especially  their  fortitude  and 
perseverance,  under  the  next  topic. 

3.  The  trials  of  the  church  and  congregation. 

Theirs  was  a  courage  begotten  by  the  fear  of 
God,  and  the  love  of  righteousness.  It  regarded 
not  men  but  principles  ;  and  in  contrast  with 
that  which  moves  the  worldly  warrior,  and  ma- 
gistrates superior  to  the  laws,  encountered  ob- 
loquy for  conscience  sake,  regardless  of  popular 
clamor  and  of  honor  from  men. 

Of  all  their  trials,  those  were  the  most  severe, 
and  not  least  honorable  to  themselves,  which 
attended  and  followed  their  efforts  for  their  or- 
ganization and  establishment  as  a  distinct  religious 
community.  Destitute  of  such  an  administration 
of  divine  ordinances  as  they  conscientiously  covet- 
ed ;  deprived  of  the  liberty  to  which  they  believ- 
ed all  men  entitled  by  the  Gospel,  and  held  by 
the  laws  of  the  province  to  contribute  to  the  sup- 
port of  such  an  administration,  and  by  the  acts  of 
the  churches  to  submit  without  resistance  to  what 
they  deemed  an  erroneous  ministry;  surrounded 
by  men  of  dissimilar  views,  and  stigmatized  by 

■^According  to  the  primhive  constitution  of  the  New  England 
churches,  ruling  elders  were  commonly  attached  to  each  con- 
gregation, but  this  oflice  grew  into  disuse  in  most  churches  in 
about  half  o  century. 

Wintli^op's  History  New-England  ;  note  by  Savage,  page  31. 


W 


27 

their  brethren  as  ianatics,t  their  character  and 
condition  presented  nothing  enviable  to  any  other 
than  an  eye  of  faith.     It   was    a  state  in    which 
commiseration  and  sympatfjy  would  have    been 
more  creditable  to  their  brethren  than  the  imposi- 
tion of  those  terms  of  reproacli  which  were  fasten- 
ed on  them  by  the  professed  advocates  of  liberty 
of  conscience.     They  shared,   however,  only  the 
common  lot  of  men  who  will  live  Godly  in  Christ 
Jesus,  and  who,  in  despite  of  ridicule,  are  happy 
in  the  assurance  that  the  spirit  of  glory  and  of 
God  resteth  upon  them.     It  happened  according- 
ly, that  they  took  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  their 
goods,  and  found  pleasure  in  necessities  and  re- 
proaches for  Christ's  sake ;  being,  after  they  were 
illuminated,  made  a  gazing  stock  and  a  hissing, 
and  compelled  like  the  apostles,  to  become  fools 
in  glorying.     But  while  others  mocked  and  mis- 
represented, they  gave  themselves  continually  uni 
to  prayer,  refusing  to  he  partakers  ici  other  naen's 
sins. 

To  the  oppressive  statute  alluded  to,  and  the 
vexatious  prosecutions,  imprisonments  and  exac- 
tions, which  grew  out  of  it,  they  long  submitted, 
contributing  to  the  support  of  a  ministry  unaccept- 
able to  them,  at  the  same  time  they  were  incurring 
no  inconsiderable  expense  for  the  maintenance  of 
public  worship,  under  a  ministry  of  their  choice. 
Tired  with  legal  oppression,  they  petitioned  Pres- 
bytery in  1773,  to  make  application  to  the  General 
Court,  that  they  might  be  placed,  in  regard  to  tax- 
ation,   on   a   footing  with  episcopalians,  frf?;nds, 

t  They  were  commonly  designated  by  the  terms,  New-Lights, 
Beparatists,  Schemers,  and  Ranters 


28 

baptists,  and  other  religious  denominations  in  the 
colony.  In  little  more  than  a  century  from  the 
arrival  of  the  Hector,  with  Mr.  Parker  and  his  peo- 
ple, this  little  portion  of  the  boon  for  which  they 
left  their  native  country,  was  obtained  by  their 
descendants,  for  this  congregation.* 

To  the  redress  of  their  wrongs  on  the  subject  of 
taxation,  succeeded  a  serious  dissension  among 
themselves.  A  contention,  very  common  in  the 
churches  at  that  day,  arose  on  the  subject  of  an 
innovation  in  the  mode  of  conducting  their  psalm- 
ody. A  subject,  which,  though  not  unimportant  as  a 
matter  of  taste,  is  far  more  worthy  in  the  light 
through  which  tkey  viewed  it,  of  all  the  solicitude 
which  it  obtained.  But  it  became  unhappily  blend- 
ed with  feelings  not  of  a  devotional  character,  and 
an  occasion  of  greater  perplexity  and  embarrass- 
ment to  tlie  congregation,  than  almost  any  other 
by  which  it  was  agitated.  The  animosity  and  al- 
ienation of  feeling  v\hich  it  produced,  I  shall  not 
attempt  to  describe.  The  wisdom  of  Solomon, 
it  is  obvious,  was  not  in  it ;  and  whoever  will  be  at 
the  pains  to  search  through  the  history  of  the  con- 
test, will  find  his  counsel  on  the  subject  of  con- 
tention among  brethren,  very  powerfully  and  feel- 
ingly enforced.  Frequent  applications  were  made 
to  the  government  of  the  church  by  the  contend- 

*  The  Puritans,  says  Clarendon,  (Hist.  Eng.)  finding  it  im- 
possible to  enjoy  the  free  exercise  of  their  religion  in  England, 
shipped  themselves  off  for  America,  and  there  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  a  government  which  enjoyed  the  most  perfect  liberty, 
civil  and  eclesiastical. 

Mr.  Parker  arrived  in  1G33;  Newbury  was  incorporated  in 
1635;  this  society  in  175G;  Newbnryport  in  1764,  and  the 
first  prc?byterian  church  in  1815      Appendix  x. 


Of) 

ing  parties,  and  repeated  attempts  at  conciliation 
by  session,  without  success.  The  innovators  at 
length  triumphed,  and  peace  and  harmony  were 
restored.  At  this  distance  of  time  it  may  be  safe 
to  say,  that  though  every  alteration  in  the  ancient 
modes  of  worship  is  not  an  improvement,  the  con- 
flict on  this  topic,  as  regards  one  of  the  points  of 
difference,  terminated  in  a  victory  of  good  taste 
over  custom  and  prejudice. 

After  a  period  of  tranquillity,  the  church  and  so- 
^ciety  were  called,  1772,  to  severe  and  complicated 
affliction,  by  the  illness  and  suspension  of  the  labors 
of  Mr.  Parsons.  The  measures  adopted  by  the  ses- 
sion for  their  relief,  did  not  entirely  meet  the  views 
of  the  congregation  or  pastor.  A  plan  was  concert- 
ed for  providing  him  a  colleague,  and  application 
privately  made  to  Mr.  Murray,  which  for  seven  spe- 
cified reasons  he  declined  to  encourage.  The  sub- 
ject, however,  was  long  agitated,  and  in  Sept.  1774, 
a  call  made  out  and  addressed  to  Boston  Presby- 
tery.* But  some  influential  members  of  this  con- 
gregation were  opposed  to  him.  He  himself  was 
indisposed  to  leave  his  people.  A  cotemporary 
call  was  in  his  hands  from  a  church  in  Boston,  and 
the  Presbytery,  as  the  church  soon  learned,  were 
not  in  fellowship  with  their  pastor  elect.  The  ap- 
plication, notwithstanding,  was  renewed,  and  his 
consent  to  the  measure  urged  by  the  considera- 
tions of  the  partiality  of  the  pastor  and  congrega- 
tion, generally,  for  him  ;  the  enlarged  sphere  of  use- 
fulness which  would  be  opened  to  him ;  the  dan- 
ger to  which  the  purity  of  the  faith  and  govern- 

*  Appendix  xt. 


30 

ment  of  the  church  would  be  exposed  without  an 
able  defender;  and  his  paramount  obligation  to  the 
church  catholic.  To  this  application,  the  fifth  of 
the  kind  which  he  had  received,  as  he  stated  in  his 
reply,  he  answered,  that  he  would  consent  to  be  at 
the  disposal  of  Presbytery.  In  this  state  of  sus- 
pense the  congregation  remained  until  the  death 
of  Mr.  Parsons,  July  19,  1776.  In  support  of  the 
call  to  Mr.  Murray,  the  commissioners  had  been 
heard  before  the  Presbytery  of  the  Eastward  at 
their  session  in  Brunswick  the  May  preceding.  It 
bad  been  sustained  as  regular  and  presented  to  Mr, 
Murray  for  consideration,  and  the  church  at  Booth- 
Bay  notified  to  appear  at  the  next  meeting  and 
shew  cause  "  why  the  prayer  of  the  said  call 
should  not  be  granted."  After  the  death  of  Mr, 
Parsons  the  church  became  more  importunate,  and 
prepared  the  following  memorial  to  Presbytery; 

"  To  the  first  Presbytery  at  the  Eastward : 

Rev.  sirs, — Let  the  importance  of  the  cause 
and  the  warmth  of  our  affections  to  promote  the  in- 
terests of  Christ's  church  catholic,  and  especially 
that  part  of  it  regulated  by  the  form  of  government 
which  is  presbyterian,  apologize  for  our  intruding 
upon  you.  Since  our  application  to  this  judicature 
for  the  removal  of  the  Rev.  John  Murray  of  Booth- 
Bay  to  the  pastoral  care  of  this  congregation,  thi^ 
session,  as  well  as  the  other  parts  of  our  society, 
have  had  an  opportunity  to  make  ourselves  ac- 
quainted with  Mr.  Murray's  personal  and  ministe- 
rial qualifications,  for  so  critical,  and  allow  us  to 
say,  important  a  part  of  Christ's  vineyard  as  this  is. 

Our  Elijah  under  the  great  head  of  the  church 
has  been  taken  awav,  since  onr  above  mentioned 


31 

petition  Was  presented,  and  tliereiore  we  stand  in 
more  eminent  need  of  an  Elisha  to  fill  up  the  wide 
breach  which  God  in  his  righteous  providence  ha& 
been  pleased  to  make.  Critical  indeed  is  our  sit- 
uation while  surrounded  with  those  from  whom  we 
have  dissented  in  point  of  doctrine  and  govern- 
ment, and  who  are  watching  for  our  halting. 
•  While  intestine  enemies  daily  discover  their  se- 
cret machinations  to  overthrow  our  excellent  con- 
stitution— added  to  this  the  gloomy  prospect  of 
our  fathers,  the  first  founders  of  this  church,  who 
have  been  the  barriers  under  God,  against  that 
torrent  of  opposition,  and  we  may  say  persecution, 
that  this  church  has  met  with,  are  now  just  totter- 
ing upon  the  brink  of  the  grave  ;  and  if  these  things 
have  been  done  to  the  green  tree,  what  will  be- 
come of  the  dry !  Many,  very  many  among  us  there 
are,  that  do  not  know  their  right  hand  from  their 
left  with  respect  to  church  government,  which  we 
fear,  will  be  likely  to  have  any,  even  the  most  cor- 
rupt form  imposed  on  tiiem,  that  sly  insinuation 
may  make  choice  of.  Who  then  will  take  us  by 
the  hand  and  lead  us  in  the  right  way!  After  so- 
lemn fasting  and  prayer  to  the  great  Head  of  the 
church,  to  whom  shall  we  apply  but  to  you,  our 
spiritual  guides,'*  Plain  and  evident  it  is  that  any 
unexperienced  youth  would  be  quite  unequal  to  so 
arduous  a  task,  especially  when  we  consider  the 
multitude*  that  generally  attends  at  our  place  of 

"*  The  congregation  at  that  time  was  one  of  the  largest  iu 
New-England,  and  although  two  societies  have  been  since  form- 
ed out  of  it,  and  other  causes  have  contributed  to  its  diminulion. 
it  now  comprizes  more  than  three  hundred  families. 


worship,  ('wliicii  number  is  not  allogcther  compos- 
ed of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town,  but  of  the  towns 
in  the  vicinity,)  the  impure  doctrines  propagated, 
the  amazing  growth  of  vice  and  immorality  too 
prevalent  in  seaports  at  this  day,  and  church  dis- 
cipline too  much  neglected  ;  from  hence,  is  it  not 
evident  that  none  but  a  veteran  in  Christ's  cause, 
one  that  has  undergone,  in  some  good  measure, 
what  the  apostle  enumerates  in  his  sufferings, 
would  be  qualified  to  fill  the  place  of  a  Parsons. 

We  acknowledge  ourselves  nonplussed  after 
having  looked  around  for  old  or  young,  if  the  sub- 
ject of  our  petition  should  fail  us.  Our  brethren 
at  Booth-Bay  have  favored  us  with  their  senti- 
ments on  the  matter,  but  after  mature  and  candid 
consideration,  we  cannot  but  think  if  they  would 
step  aside  and  view  the  cause  disinterestedly,  and 
fully  give  in  to  that  form  of  government  we  pro- 
fess to  adhere  to,  they  would,  instead  of  opposing, 
immediately  lend  a  helping  hand  in  promoting  so 
necessary  a  work  for  the  church  catholic.  But 
after  all  our  anxiety  for,  as  we  conceive,  so  able  a 
servant  of  Jesus  Christ  as  the  Rev.  Mr.  Murray, 
to  stand  in  the  gap  at  this  important  crisis,  when, 
to  appearance,  we  are  tottering  on  the  brink  of 
ruin,  w^e  give  over  the  whole  affiiir  into  the  hands 
of  Him  who  governs  all  events  for  Ins  own  glory, 
praying  that  you  may  be  directed  by  unerring  wis- 
dom, and  that  we  may  be  kept  in  the  mean  time 
from  sinful  despondency." 

At  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  at  Newmarket, 
July,  1776,  a  remonstrance  of  the  town  of  Booth- 
Bay  against  Mr.  Murray's  removal  was  exhibit- 
ed:  also,    a  remonstrance   siijned    bv    Jonathan 


33 

Greenleaf  in  behalf  of  a  number  of  the  congrega- 
tion in  Newburyport.  A  decision  of'  the  question 
was  therefore  deferred  till  October,  when  all  par- 
ties were  "  ordered  to  be  ready  for  the  final  issue 
of  the  trial."  The  congregation  in  the  mean  time 
having  been  supplied  by  a  Mr.  Kettletas,  among 
other  candidates,  though  still  divided  in  their  at- 
tachments, voted  him  a  call  Oct.  20,  1776.  An  af- 
firmative answer,  promising  his  "  services  at  least 
so  long  as  the  war  should  last,"  was  received  as 
satisfactory,  and  provision  made  by  the  congrega- 
tion for  moving  him  with  his  family  and  effects  from 
Connecticut.  But  through  a  sudden  reverse  of 
feeling,  in  one  or  both  the  parties,  the  prosecution 
of  the  call  was  arrested,  his  family  sent  back,  and 
the  hopes  of  the  congregation  again  disappointed. 
For  a  considerable  period  the  pulpit  was  supplied 
by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Hopkins  of  Newport,  (R.  I.) 
that  town  being  occupied  by  British  troops.  And 
although  some  few  of  his  tenets  were  peculiarly 
odious  to  the  church  and  congregation,  he  was 
heard  with  candor  during  the  whole  period  of  his 
engagement.  But  their  oject  was  a  stated  pastor, 
and  the  ill  success  of  their  efforts,  was  considered 
as  a  frown  of  Providence.  Some  conceived  it  a 
rebuke  for  those  who  opposed  the  form  of  govern- 
ment, others  for  such  as  were  in  favor  of  allowing 
all  baptized  persons  to  vote  in  the  election  of 
church  officers ;  and  such  as  had  most  violently 
opposed  the  innovations  in  psalmody,  traced  the 
marks  of  God's  displeasure  to  a  supposed  corrup- 
tion in  that  part  of  his  worship. 

After   many    unsuccessful  attempts  to  procure, 
elsewhere,  a  successor  to  Mr,  Parsons,  the  church 


:J^^ 


34 

again  turned  its  eye  to  Mr.  Murray.  A  British 
squadron  was  threatening  Booth-Bay.  The  town, 
and  especially  its  pastor,  was  in  jeopardy,*  and  it 
was  obvious  that  a  suspension  of  his  labors,  there, 
had  become  expedient.  Under  these  circumstan- 
ces, the  application  to  Presbytery  and  the  town 
was  renewed,  and  a  proposal  made  by  this  congre- 
gation to  send  a  vessel,  in  the  absence  of  the 
squadron,  for  the  conveyance  of  his  family  and  ef- 
fects to  Newburyport.  Booth-Bay,  in  a  commu- 
nication to  Presbytery,  consented  to  his  removal  to 
any  place  except  this,  but  hither,  "  on  no  terms 
whatever."  This  exception.  Presbytery  at  their 
session  in  Pownalboro',  October  22,  adjudged  a 
breach  of  charity  to  this  church,  and  indicative  of 
a  want  of  respect  to  the  judicature,  and  ordered 
the  elder  from  Booth-Bay  to  give  to  the  clerk  of  his 
congregation  a  copy  of  the  minute  in  which  they 
stand  reproved  on  the  records  of  Presbytery.  They 
further  ordered  Mr.  Prince  to  supply  Newbury- 
port "  in  case,  after  the  best  endeavors  of  session, 
no  other  supply"  shall  be  obtained. 

In  Feb.  1779,  the  session  on  petition  of  the  con- 
gregation, renewed  their  application  to   the  peo- 

*  From  a  letter  of  Mr.  Murray  to  one  of  the  elders  of  this 
church,  in  which  he  says  the  commodore  has  offered  500  guin- 
eas for  my  head,  and  twice  attempted  to  seize  my  person  in  the 
night,  it  would  seem  that  he  was  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the 
vengeance  of  the  enemy.  I  have  no  fears,  he  adds,  however, 
from  my  people,  nor  from  the  body  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
country,  who,  I  believe  would  run  every  hazard  to  protect  me. 
Yet  the  world  never  wanted  men  ready  to  such  deeds,  It  is. 
therefore;  the  unanimous  advice  of  my  friends  that  I  should  re 
move. 


35 

pie  of  Booth-Bay,*  and  prayed  Presbytery  to  re- 
consider their  former  result.  This  petition  was 
sustained,  and  the  consideration  of  the  prayer  re- 
sumed in  July  following,  at  the  session  in  New- 
Market. 

After  nine  year's  persevering  effort,  Mr.  Mur- 
ray's transfer  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  this  society 
was  effected. 

The  ordinary  rites  of  installation  were  dispens- 
ed with  by  resolutions  of  session,t  that  the  act  of 
Presbytery  was  sufficient,  and  that  he  should  pro- 
ceed immediately  in  his  ministerial  office  as  the 
Pastor  of  this  church.  He  was  accordingly  receiv- 
ed, by  vote  of  the  congregation,  at  a  public  reli- 
gious service,  June  4,  1781,  in  which  Rev.  Simon 
Williams,  clerk  of  Presbytery,  and  Rev.  Joseph 
Prince  officiated. 

But  the  sufferings  of  the  congregation  did  not 
end  with  the  termination  of  their  contest  for  a  Pas- 
tor. A  very  considerable  proportion  of  the  neigh- 
boring clergy  declined  affectionate  intercourse 
with  a  minister  who  was  not  known  to  have  been 
restored  by  the  Ballaminy  or  Philadelphia  Presby- 
tery, both  of  which  are  said  to  have  deposed  him. 
This  threw  back  an  odium  on  his  character,  in 
which  it  was  impossible  his  people,  however 
blameless  they  might  have  been,  should  fail  to  par- 

*  Appendix  xii. 

t  In  session  resolved,  that  the  minutes  of  the  Eastern  Pres- 
bytery relative  to  the  transportation  of  the  Rev.  John  Murray 
from,  and  dissolving  his  pastoral  relation  to,  the  church  and 
congregation  in  Booth-Bay,  and  their  order  to  him  to  accept  the 
pastoral  charge  of  the  presbyterian  church  and  congregaton  in 
Newburyport,  agreeable  to  their  call  and  repeated  application 
to  that  Presbytery,  to  receive  and  in  the  Lord  submit  to.  him  as 
our  pastor,  be  read. 


36 

ficipate.  Their  harmonious  intercourse  of  conse- 
quence, with  many  of  the  surrounding  churches 
during  the  whole  ministry  of  Mr.  Murray,  was  in- 
terrupted. The  session,  however,  having  unani- 
mously voted,  on  his  humiliation  and  confessions,* 
*'  their  entire  satisfaction  with  his  character  as  it 
stood,"  and  having  expressed  with  equal  unanimity 
an  opinion  "  that  the  prohibition  of  the  Boston 
Presbyteryt  against  hearing  him  should  be  taken 
off,"  were  prepared  to  encounter  the  inconvenien- 
ces which  followed.  It  is  due,  however,  to  the 
church  and  congregation  to  state,  that  they  acted 
on  the  responsibility  of  a  respectable  Presbytery, 
who  had  annulled  the  sentences  against  their  pas- 
tor, and  restored  him  to  ministerial  fellowship.  And 
this  too,  not  on  the  ground  of  his  humiliation  and 
confessions,  merely,  but  of  gross  informality,  and, 
as  they  believed,  injustice  in  the  judicial  proceed- 
ings which  issued  in  his  tirst  deposition. 

But  though  deprived  of  the  gifts  of  many  neigh- 
boring  pastors,  the   congregation    enjoyed  more 

*  The  confessions  of  Mr.  Murray  before  the  congregation  of 
Booth-Bay,  Newburyport,  and  the  Presbytery  who  restored  him, 
and  which,  with  additional  explanations  were  renewed,  by  re- 
quest, to  the  Presbytery  at  Salem,  have  been  all  before  the  pub- 
lic. Only  the  last  has  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  writer  of  this 
account.  This,  and  the  copy  of  a  letter  now  before  him,  ad- 
dressed to  a  writer  in  the  Spy  of  1774,  bear  marks  of  sincere 
humiliation  and  ingenuous  shame  and  grief  Presbytery,  not- 
withstanding, added  their  sanction  to  the  proceedings  of  the  ju- 
dicatory which  deposed  him,  against  which  measure  a  respect- 
able minority  entered  the  protest  inserted  in  appendix  xiii. 

t  It  ought  to  be  noticed  in  honor  of  Mr.  Parsons'  memory, 
that  while  he  continued  a  member  of  that  Presbytery,  he  scru- 
pulously obeyed  their  injunction,  and  denied  himself  the  pleas- 
ure of  attending  public  worship,  even  when  Mr.  Murray  occu- 
pied hjsjpulpif 


37 

fullj  the  services  of  their  chosen  teacher  j  and 
while  they  suffered  much,  gained  more,  in  their 
own  apprehension,  by  this  unavoidable  collision 
and  conflict  of  opinion. 

The  close  of  Mr.  Murray's  ministry,  and  the  long 
confinement  which  preceded  his  death,  were  at- 
tended with  serious  evils,  which  were  not  a  little 
aggravated  by  the  dissensions  to  which  they  gave 
rise  in  the  church  and  congregation. 

A  youfig  missionary*  of  Lady  Huntingdon's 
school,  who  arrived  in  Boston  1791,  from  New- 
Brunswick,  was  employed  at  the  suggestion  of  Mr. 
Murray,  as  his  assistant  for  the  winter.  A  portion 
of  the  congregation  were  captivated  with  his  gifts, 
and  their  fondness  not  expiring  with  the  term  of  his 
engagement,  they  chose  rather  to  give  up  the  often 
interrupted  ministry  of  the  principal,  than  forego 
that  of  the  assistant.  Without  the  plea  of  an  errone- 
ous or  negligent  ministry,  but  on  the  equally  con- 
venient ground  of  "  better  edification,"  they  for- 
sook the  ordinances  of  this  church  and  worshipped 
in  a  private  house.  This  irregular  proceeding  led 
to  a  judicial  process,  which  issued  in  the  suspen- 
sion of  such  as  had  violated  their  covenant  with  the 
church,  and  the  measures  of  session  were  approv- 
ed by  Presbytery.  In  April,  1793,  they  formally  re- 
nounced the  government  of  this  church,  and  de- 
clared themselves  independent.  This  act  fore- 
closed all  hope  of  their  return,  and  as  the  inde- 
pendents complained,  the  session  felt  constrained 
in  their  own  vindication,  to  explain  their  views  of 

*  The  Rev.  Charles  William  Milton,  now  pastor  of  the  4th 
church  in  this  town. 


Christian  liberty,*  and  to  enter  tlieir  reasons  for 
declining  to  dismiss  them,  upon  their  records. 

Thedeathof  Mr.  iMurray, March  13th,  1793,  in- 
flicted an  additional  wound  upon  his  congregation 
still  bleeding  from  the  abruption  of  so  considera- 
ble a  part  of  their  members.  To  this,  was  added 
their  disappointment  of  a  successor  in  Mr.  Samuel 
Tomb,  (a  licentiate  of  the  Synod  of  New  -York 
and  Philadelphia,)  to  whom  a  call  had  been  giv- 
en, by  the  church,  20  to  6,  August  22,  and 
concurred  in  by  the  congregation  in  September, 
49  to  32.t 

An  unsucessful  attempt  to  renew  the  call  in 
February  following,  and  the  state  of  mind  produ- 
ced by  the  division,  rendered  almost  hopeless  a 
speedy  union  in  the  call  and  settlement  of  anoth- 
er candidate.  Discord  increased,  as  the  impor- 
tance of  agreement  became  more  urgent  and  ob- 
vious, and  issued  in  another  separation  ;  as  if  the 
children  intended  to  justify  in  application  to  them, 
the  language  of  reproach  which  had  been  fasten- 
ed on  the  fathers. 

The  call  to  Mr.  Daniel  Dana,  given  by  the 
church,  13  to  7,  in  June,  1794,  was  concurred  in 
by  the  society,  l!2to  10.  Against  sustaining  this 
call,  the  dissentients,  male  and  female,  presented 
a  remonstrance  to  Presbytery,  in  September;  ob- 
jecting nothing,  however,  to  the  private  worth  or 
public  walk  of  the  Pastor  elect ;  nor  yet,  speci- 

*Appendix  xiv. 

t  One  of  the  reasons  given  by  Mr.  Tomb,  for  a  negative  an- 
swer to  the  call,  was  the  opinion  that  no  council  or  Presbytery 
would  ordain  a  candidate,  when  76  only  out  of  248  voters  in  a 
society,  publicly  acted  in  his  favor. 


30 

ill 


iicaliy,  to  his  religious  opinions;  but  stating, 
terms  too  general  to  be  met,  that  they  were  "  nei- 
ther satisfied  with,  nor  edified  under"  his  preach- 
ing ;  and  further  representing  the  session  to  have 
been  equally  divided  on  the  question  of  his  calL 
In  consequence  of  this  representation,  from  a  res- 
pectable part  of  the  church  and    congregation, 
Presbytery,  with  the  consent  of  the  pastor  elect 
and  his  friends,  postponed  the  decision.     Dr.  Mor- 
rison, the  moderator,  in  the  mean  time,  addressed 
a  peace  breathing  letter  to  the  two  parties,  re- 
commending to  both  a  prayerful  and  conciViatof y 
temper,  and  an  united  effort  to  render  light  and 
clear  the  path  of  Presbytery  to  'ulterior  measures. 

On  the  19th  of  November,  1794,  Mr.  Dana  was 
ordained.  But  such  of  the  remonstrants  as  had 
declared  that  in  this  event  they  should  be  consci- 
entiously driven  from  their  meeting  house  durinf^ 
his  ministry,  and  could  pay  nothing  to  his  support, 
were  of  course  dissatisfied.  They  retired,  and 
without  regular  dismission,  set  up  a  separate  wor- 
ship. The  clerk  and  treasurer  being  of  the  num- 
ber of  the  remonstrants,  the  church  was  left  with- 
out records,  files,*  or  funds.  These  were  all  duly 
demanded  by  vote  of  session,  but  during  the  peri- 
od of  excitement,  without  a  prospect  of  success. 

The  remonstrants,  in  July,  proposed  the  settle- 
ment of  a  colleague  with  Mr.  Dana,  as  a  peace  mea- 
sure, and  presented  as  the  man  of  their  choice  the 
Rev.  J.  Boddily,t  a  respectable  clergyro-^j^'  educa- 

-The  writer  is  indebted  for  some  in.port..„t  mat  erials  for 
This  history,  to  the  honorable  act  of  the  latr.  Rev  Jo  Im  Giles, 
in  restoring  the  files  of  the  church. 

t  Mr.  Boddily  was  installed  Poster  oCUe  second  Pre.    *ytenun 
Society  m  June.  1797  ^^      •' 


40 

ted  at  Lady  Huntingdon's  college  in  Trevecca ;  and 
presenting  credentials  from  ministers  of  well  known 
character  in  London,     This  gentleman  commen- 
ced preaching  to  them,  soon  after  his  arrival,  in 
the  house  of  Elder  Titcomb,     The  adoption  of 
the  measure  proposed  by  the  remonstrants  they 
supposed  would  heal  the  breach  and  prevent  all 
further  difficulty.     The  session,  after  serious  con- 
sideration of  the  proposal,  July  24,  was  of  opinion 
that  such  a  measure  could  not  have  a  tendency  to 
promote  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  church  and 
congregation,  and   therefore  thought  it  their  duty 
not  to  give  it  their  approbation  or  encouragement. 
They  declined,  also,  to  act  on  a  subsequent  pro- 
posal of    the  remonstrants  to  agree  on  a  mutual 
separation,  adopting  and  ordering  to  be  recorded 
a  statement  in  which  they  declare  themselves  con- 
strained to  consider  their  brethren  as  walking  dis- 
orderly,  and  bound  to  bear  testimony  against  their 
proceedings  as  an  abuse  of  christian  liberty.     In 
that  statement,  they  solemnly  charge  themselves 
and  their  children,  never  to  infringe  the  order  of 
Christ's    kingdom  by  similar    proceedings,    nor 
wound  the  feelings  of  a  faithful  minister  of  his,  in 
such  a  manner. 

The  election  of  Dr.  Dana  to  the  presidency  of 
Dartmouth  College,  opened  an  untried  source  of 
grief  to  the  congregation.     They  had  buried  two 
Pastors,  and  from  two,  of  their  election  to  this  of- 
fice, had  suffered  disappointment,  but  had  never 
before   been    called  to  submit     the  question   of 
dissolving  so  sacred  a  connexion  to  the  decision 
of  men.     They  were  now  to  test  their  respect  for 
principles,  whose  practical  recognition,  they  had 


41 

demanded  of  the  people  of  Booth-Bay.  The  con- 
siderations urged  on  that  congregation,  namely, 
the  paramount  interests  of  the  church,  the  vow  to 
submit  to  presbyterial  rules,  and  the  obligation  of 
men  to  merge  all  singular  and  private  views,  in 
those  resulting  from  superior  regard  to  the  glory 
of  God  and  the  general  good,  had  now  another 
application.  But  the  congregation  stood  the  test, 
and  it  is  a  bright  page,  my  brethren,  in  your  histo- 
ry. Let  no  future  transaction  be  compared  with  it 
to  your  disadvantage. 

On  the  5th  of  Sept.  1820,  the  session  resolved, 
the  congregation  concurring,  to  refer  and  submit 
the  decision  of  this  and  every  question  involved 
in  it,  to  the  higher  judicatory.  The  Presbytery, 
two  members  dissenting,  resolved  on  a  dissolution, 
after  the  19th  Nov.  1820,  of  your  relation  to  a  pas- 
tor, who  had  fulfilled  a  ministry  of  26  years. 

To  the  judicious  and  self-denying  course  adopt- 
ed by  the  church  and  congregation  in  this  affair, 
is  to  be  ascribed  under  God,  its  singular  unanimity 
in  the  settlement  of  a  successor,  within  so  short  a 
period.* 

Were  it  desirable  to  swell  the  catalogue  of  your 
chastnings,  I  might  mention  the  alarming  and  dis- 
tressing pestilence  of  the  summer  and  autumn  of 
1796,t  and  the  desolating  fire  of  the  night  May  31st, 
18I1,  by  which  285  buildings  were  consumed,  and 
various  property  to  the  amount  of  ^400,000  irre- 

*  The  present  pastor  was  installed  Feb.  8, 1821. 

t  The  whole  number  of  deaths  in  the  town,  and  principally 
of  yellow  fever,  was  72,  of  which  nearly  half  occurred  in  this 
oongresation 

F 


4 


42 


coverably  lost.*  And  over  all  the  effects  of  the  war 
and  the  restrictive  measures  preceding  it,  in  which 
were  almost  annihilated  the  means  of  your  com- 
mercial prosperity,  once,  unrivalled  in  any  town  of 
only  equal  population  in  our  country. 

But  if  your  religious  character,  my  brethren,  has 
not  suffered  amidst  all  these  painful  changes;  if,  as 
you  walk  about  Zion,  and  tell  her  towers,  and 
mark  her  bulwarks,  and  consider  her  palaces,  you 
can  say  to  the  generation  following,  this  society  has 
lost  nothing  of  the  excellent  spirit  which  was  found 
in  its  fathers ;  then  let  their  sons  rejoice,  and  the 
daughters  of  Zion  be  glad,  because  of  the  judg- 
ments of  the  Lord,  and  joy  in  the  God  of  their  sal- 
vation. Be  it  as  it  may,  in  six  troubles  and  in  se- 
ven, God  has  not  forsaken  his  inheritance,  but  has 
watched  over  it  from  the  first  with  a  gracious  eye, 
and  nurtured  it  with  unsparing  hand.  Small  in  the 
beginning  and  often  diminished  by  schism,  and  oth- 
er indefensible  methods  of  evading  compacts,  it 
has  notwithstanding  been  often  replenished  and 
refreshed,  and  to  this  day  remains  among  the  larg- 
est and  most  harmonious  of  all  the  congregations 
which  surround  us.  Those  who  have  gone  out  and 
built  them  separate  tabernacles,  are  not  reckoned 
for  aliens  by  the  church,  but  like  a  true  mother, 
though  she  cannot  fail  to  remember  "  the  breaking 
away  of  children,"  she  has  forgiven  their  wander- 
ings, and  still  follows  them  with  her  affections  and 
her  prayers.  The  breach  between  this  and  the 
lirbt  church  in  Mew  bury,  after  a  conference  of  coai- 

*  The  first  estimate,  necessarily  hasty,  was  ^500,000.  Of 
this  amount,  those  who  "devise  liberal  things"  remitted  to  the 
tftwn  in  donations,  principally  of  money,  ^104,?97 


43 

sflittees,  was  healed  by  the  Ibllow  ing  unaininoub  res- 
olution, Oct.  181(i:  "That  all  misuuclerstanding 
and  infelicities,  whatever,  which  have  existed  be- 
tween the  two  churches,  be  buried  in  perpetual 
oblivion." 

As  early  as  the  year  1798,  harmony  was  restored 
between  this  and  the  4  th  church.  Its  concession 
relating  to  the  manner  of  separation,  and  earnest 
request  for  the  removal  of  the  censure  from  its  of- 
fending members,  March  28,  were  received  in  the 
spirit  of  conciliation  by  the  session,  and  the  sen- 
tence of  suspension  revoked. 

On  the  members  of  the  second  presbyterian  so- 
ciety this  church  had  passed  no  censure,  and  the 
Presbytery  having  authoritatively  dissolved  the 
connexion  between  this  church  and  the  remon- 
strants, and  the  society  having  disclaimed  the  deed 
of  a  former  generation,  by  calling  him*  whom  their 
fathers  refused  to  the  pastoral  care  of  them,  no 
barrier  to  Christian  fellowship  remains,  nor,  while 
they  continue  to  respect  the  counsels  and  cherish 
the  sentiments  of  their  first  pastor,t  vvill  any  be 
likely  to  rise.  Thus,  with  a  single  exception,^  your 
fellowship  is  restored  with  all  the  churches.  There 
is  much  also  to  awaken  our  gratitude  in  review  of 
the  ability  and  disposition  which  God  has  bestow= 
ed  on  the  members  of  this  congregatiorj,  to  main- 

*  Dr.  Dana  was  installed  pastor  of  the  2d  presbyterian  socie- 
ty, on  the  24th  of  May,  the  current  year. 

t  "  Sooner  than  these  walls  should  afford  protection  to  a  li- 
centious minister,  or  a  congregation  debauched  in  their  princi- 
ples and  corrupt  in  their  worship,  may  the  whole  fabric  be  lev- 
elled with  the  ground,  or  become  the  habitation  of  owls,  and  the 
haunt  of  wild  beasts." — Re-c.  Mr.  Boddily's  sermon  at  the  dedi 
cation  of  the  meeting  house  in  Harris  street. 

t  See  Appendix  kv. 


44 

tain  an  exemplary  liberality  toward  its  pastors,  its 
poor,  and  the  public  institutions  dependant  on  re- 
ligious charity.* 

3.  Our  last  topic  is  the  character  of  the  first 
pastors  of  this  church. 

The  Rev.  Jonathan  Parsons  was  a  native  of 
AVest-Springfield  ;  received  his  classical  and  part 
of  his  theological  education,  under  the  presidency 
of  the  Rev.  Elisha  Williams,  in  Yale  College.  He 
graduated  in  1779,  and  within  one  year,  was  invi- 
ted to  the  pastoral  care  of  a  church  in  Lyme.  In- 
experienced, and  unsettled  in  the  doctrines  which 
are  according  to  godliness,  and  lax  in  his  views  of 
ecclesiastical  discipline,  he  lacked  important  qual- 
ifications for  a  teacher  and  ruler  in  the  house  of 
God.  With  a  precipitancy,  often  mistaken  for  su- 
periority to  the  traditions  of  the  fathers,  he  re- 
nounced before  the  ordaining  council  the  receiv- 
ed platform  of  the  churches  in  Connecticut,  and 
early  led  his  people  to  establish  a  righteousness  of 
their  own,  rather  than  to  submit  to  that  which  is  of 
God  by  faith.t  By  these  means  he  was  uncon- 
sciously preparing  the  way  for  his  removal  when 
he  should  be  made  to  understand  the  way  of  God 
more  perfectly.  The  effects  of  the  labors  of  Ten- 
nent  and  Whitfield,  led  his  inquisitive  mind  to  ex- 
plore the  fields  where  they  had  labored  and  care- 
fully examine  the  fruits,  as  well  as  to  review  the 
grounds  of  his  own  faith  and  hope,  and  to  bring 
both  to  the  divine  standard  of  truth  and  holiness. 
This  thorough  and  honest  examination  issued  in  an 
♦entire  renunciation  of  arminian  principles,  and  pro- 

*  Appendix  xvr, 

t  Parsons'  Letters  in  Prince's  Christ  Hist 


45 

duced  a  corresponding  change  in  his  administra- 
tion. To  this  change,  though  it  was  followed  with 
the  most  happy  effects  on  many  of  his  people,  a 
majority  of  them  were  unreconciled,  and  his  dis- 
mission was  the  consequence.  God  had  now  fit- 
ted him  for  a  wider  sphere  of  usefulness,  and  hy 
the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Whitfield,  who  took  a 
deep  interest  in  the  welfare  of  this  church,  he  was 
invited  to  its  service. 

Mr.  Parsons  was  a  scholar  of  various  learning, 
rather  than  a  man  of  genius.  A  correct  and  easy 
writer,  and  as  his  works  testify,*  a  judicious  and 
solid  divine.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  preacher 
experimentally  acquainted  with  his  subjects ;  and 
his  sermons,  as  several  of  his  hearers  have  remark- 
ed, possess  the  uncommon  excellence  of  interesting 
the  reader  on  a  second  and  third  perusal.  Having 
himself  travelled  in  the  paths  of  error,  he  was  ad- 
mirably qualified  to  detect  the  wanderer  and  con- 
duct him  out  of  them ;  having  tried  the  way  of  ho- 
liness, to  confirm  and  advance  in  it  the  trembling 
and  tardy  traveller  to  Zion. 

The  circle  of  topics  which  he  discussed  in  the 
pulpit  was  extensive,  without  any  aflfectation  of 
novelty  of  matter,  and  his  variety  of  thought  and 
expression,  gave  pertinence  and  interest  to  all  his 
devotional  exercises.  He  was  a  diligent  student 
as  well  as  pastor,  and  if  he  had  less  of  the  equa- 
nimity of  temper  which  forms  the  most  pleasant 
companion,  he  had  more  of  the  sensibility  which 
qualifies  the  good  man  to  excel  in  the  tender  offi- 
ces of  the  pastor. 

*  Appendix  xvii. 


40 

ills  correspondence  with  distinguished  minisler& 
in  Scotland  and  New-England  aflbrdcd  him  su- 
perior advantages  for  usefulness,  and  he  employed 
them  in  suhservience  to  the  interests  of  his  people. 
Zealous,  honest,  and  persevering  in  his  profession, 
the  congregation  grew  under  his  ministry  in  num» 
bers,  knowledge  and  grace ;  and  both  among  his 
first  and  second  charge  he  found  a  present  reward. 
In  the  latter  part  of  his  ministry  at  Lyme,  about  200 
souls  were  supposed  to  be  its  seals,  and  nearly  an 
equal  number,  the  fruits  of  the  revival  which  fol- 
lowed his  early  labors  here.*  As  a  memorial  of 
his  attachment  both  to  his  people  and  the  religious 
system  which  had  sustained  him  through  the  clos- 
ing conflicts  of  life,  he  bequeathed  £40  to  the  so- 
ciety towards. the  support  of  an  evangelical  minis- 
try, in  failure  of  which  it  was  devoted  to  the  bene- 
fit of  the  poor  of  the  town. 

Of  the  character  of  his  successor,  divided  as  was 
public  opinion,  little  diversity  of  sentiment  existed 
among  his  people. 

Mr.  Murray,  a  native  of  the  county  of  Antrim  in 
Ireland,  wai^  born  in  1742.  He  received  his  edu- 
cation at  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  and  was  ad- 
mitted to  Christian  communion  in  his  native  parish 
in  his  l.Othyear.t  He  came  to  America  in  1761, 
was  settled  in  the  2d  presbyterian  church  in  Phila- 
adelphia,  May,  1 764,  and  on  the  certificate,  of  mem- 
bers of  the  1st  Presbytery  of  that  city,  of  his  meek- 
ness and  piety,  was  well  received  at  Booth-Bay, 
where  he  organized  a  church,  of  which  he  was  the 
pastor  13  years. 

*  Appendix  xviii. 

t  Mr.  Miltermore's  Funeral  Sermon. 


47 

He  was  unquestionably  an  orator,  and  though 
not  of  the  first,  of  no  very  inferior  order.  Many  of 
his  hearers  in  their  description  of  him,  have  been 
wont  to  say  with  significant  emphasis,  he  filled  the 
pulpit;  that  he  was  a  workman  who  needed  not  to 
be  ashamed.  With  the  exception  of  Whitfield,  no 
raan  attracted  a  more  crowded  audience,  or  held 
it  in  more  fixed  and  patient  attention  through 
equally  protracted  services.  His  ordinary  discours- 
es occupied  an  hour,  and  his  occasional  sermons 
extended  to  twice  that  length. 

He  was  distinguished  for  copiousness,  ease  and 
freedom,  rather  than  compactness  and  correctness. 
The  plan  of  his  discourses*  was  comprehensive,  and 
though  not  very  perspicuous,  for  unwritten  com- 
positions, coherently  filled  up.  Their  application 
was  the  part  most  striking,  impressive  and  abiding. 
Few  public  speakers  have  attained  to  an  utterance 
so  uniformly  prompt,  and  so  entirely  unembarrass- 
ed.t  His  dignity  of  manners  and  courteous  atten- 
tion to  all  around  him,  no  less  than  his  eloquence 
in  the  pulpit,  contributed  to  endear  him  to  his  peo- 
ple, and  by  most  of  them  who  survive,  he  is  still 
spoken  of  with  enthusiastic  admiration.^  His  ex- 
horltation  to  the  elders  on  an  interesting  occasion,|| 
he  enforced,  if  I  have  not  been  deceived,  by  his 
own  example,  "  Be  ever  exerting  your  utmost  for 
the  service  of  God,  and  the  best  good  of  all  the 
flock  committed  to  you ;  and  be  encouraged  there- 
in by  the  joyful  prospect,  that  every  breach  you 
heal,  every  broken  bone  you  restore,  every  sinner 

*  Appendix  xix.  t  Appendix  xx, 

X  Appendix  xxi. 

'1  Funeral  of  Mr.  Cross, 


48 

you  are  the  means  of  reclaiming,  and  every  saint 
you  help  to  comfort  and  support  in  this  state  of 
trial,  will  become  a  jewel  in  your  crown  at  the  day 
of  the  restitution  of  all  things." 

Until  disabled  by  repeated  attacks  of  disease, 
he  was  diligent  in  his  business,*  and  held  nothing 
^  ^  worth  living  for,  if  we  may  credit  him,  but  the  ser- 
vice and  honor  of  Christ,  who,  he  unhesitatingly 
declared  had  put  him  into  the  ministry.  Like  his 
predecessor,  he  was  a  man  of  prayer,  and  a  zeal- 
ous and  successful  preacher  of  the  doctrines  of 
grace.  So  distinguished  was  he  for  meekness,  good 
will  and  patient  endurance  of  injuries,  that  to  his 
example  is  to  be  charged  nothing  of  "  that  narrow, 
contentious,  censorious  spirit,  which  has  done  such 
infinite  mischief  in  this  place. "t  To  his  eminence 
in  these  virtues,  God,  who  makes  all  things  work 
together  for  good  to  his  people,  doubtless  render- 
ed his  early  lapse  tributary.  It  seems  to  have  been 
the  occasion  of  his  perpetual  humiliation.  Let  it 
be  our  prayer  that  his  successors,  to  the  last,  who 
shall  learn  that  affecting  part  of  his  history,  may 
also  learn  the  vast  importance  of  the  monition, 
a  bishop  must  be  blameless.  Of  his  efforts  for  the 
advancement  of  useful  knowledge,  the  means  of 
which  had  been  so  limited  before  the  formation  of 
this  church,!  and  of  his  desire  for  the  moral  and 
religious   improvement  of  the   community,   some 

*  On  his  settlement  here,  he  relinquished  the  characters  of 
Physician,  Magistrate  and  Legislator,  in  all  of  which  he  had 
acted  while  at  Booth-Bay.  He  is  said  to  have  been  secretary 
of  the  first  convention  for  forming  a  constitution  for  Mass.,  and 
in  the  absence  of  the  presiding  officer,  to  have  been  called  to 
the  chair. 

t  Dr.  Dana's  Sermon— funeral  of  Mr.  Mi9X)dy. 

t  Appendix  xxti. 


49 

fruits  remain.  The  Adelphi  society,  particu- 
larly, of  which  he  and  his  successors  in  the  minis- 
try have  been  severally  honored  as  the  head,  is  a 
memorial  of  his  endeavours  that  you  might  be 
able  after  his  decease  to  have  this  too  much  neg- 
lected object  always  in  remembrance.  He  de- 
lighted in  rendering  assistance  to  young  men  by 
a  free  communication  from  the  fund  of  various 
knowledge  he  had  accumulated  and  educated  sev- 
eral for  the  ministry,  not  forgetting  the  object  in 
his  will. 

The  last  years  of  his  life  were  embittered  by 
complicated  disease  and  the  division  of  his  socie- 
ty, and  he  was  useful  to  his  people  chiefly  as 
an  example  of  patience  and  resignation  in  adver- 
sity. He  died  in  peace,  repeating  the  assurance 
that  his  enemies  had  but  increased  the  frequency 
of  his  errands  to  the  throne  of  grace.  Happy  we, 
my  brethren,  if  our  faith  and  charity  shall  have 
perseveringly  sought  at  that  throne,  in  the  blood 
of  atonement,  the  forgiveness  of  our  enemies. 

Of  the  character  and  works*  of  the  immediate 
successor  of  Mr.  Murray,  you  have  no  need  that  I 
should  speak.  He  is  still  a  living  epistle,  known 
and  read  of  you  all. 

I  have  therefore  done  with  the  proposed  ac- 
count, and  for  whatever  inaccuracies  may  be  de- 
tected in  it,  refer  you  for  my  apology,  to  the  very 
many  disadvantages  under  which  it  was  necessa- 
rily written  and  prepared  for  your  inspection. 

*  Appendix  xxiii. 


50 

vi//  the  reflections  and  emotions  which  it  should 
excite,  in  your  breasts  especially,  you  will  not  ex- 
pect me  to  suggest. 

It  is  proper,  however,  to  remind  you  that  Gop 
requireth  that  which  is  past ;  and  wretched  he 
who  profits  nothing  by  the  lessons  of  his  provi- 
dence. The  Lord  will  destroy  them,  and  not 
build  them  up,  who  regard  not  the  operation  of 
his  hands.  Obey,  therefore,  the  injunction  in  the 
text,  and  save  yourselves  from  the  character  and 
fate  of  such  an  untoward  generation.  Remember 
that  you  owe  to  those  who  come  after  you,  what 
the  founders  of  this  society  have  left  to  you  ;  the 
institutions  of  useful  knowledge  and  sacred  sci- 
ence, the  means  of  social  happiness,  just  sentiments 
in  religion,  and  the  example  of  a  life  devoted  to 
the  honor  of  God  and  the  best  interests  of  man- 
kind. 

The  preceding  review  forcibly  reminds  us  of  the 
verity,  that  it  is  through  tribulation  we  must  enter 
into  the  kingdom  of  God.  The  founders  of  this 
church  were  a  suffering  people.  They  were 
good  men,  not  in  such  a  sense  as  to  be  free  from 
sin.  Religion  is  not  designed  to  protect  the 
church  from  physical  evil,  nor  from  the  effects  of 
other  men's  sins,  but  to  try  and  sustain  its  mil- 
itant strength.  Pre-eminent  in  christian  virtue  as 
they  were,  they  had  no  claim  to  exemption  from 
trials  ;  no  right  to  shrink  from  enduring  hardship. 
It  is  evidence  of  their  calling  and  election  of  God, 
and  a  mark  of  the  true  church,  that  they  never  set 
up  such  a  claim  ;  that  they  did  not  thus  shrink 
when  summoned  to  the  good  combat  of  faith  ;  that 


51 

they  could  not  bear  them  who  were  evil;  and  that 
the  weapons  with  which  they  overcame,  were  not 
carnal.  Their  piety  was  but  the  occasion,  not  the 
cause  of  their  sufferings  ;  let  it  not  for  its  accom- 
paniments become  the  object  of  distrust  or  aver- 
sion, to  their  descendants. 

The  review  we  have  taken,  is  fitted  not  only  to 
excite  the  gratitude,  but  to  strengthen  the  faith  of 
the  godly. 

Against  all  the  obstacles  and  discouragements, 
with  which  this  religious  society  has  been  obliged 
to  contend,  God  has  made  it  to  stand,  increase 
and  flourish.  What  he  has  done  for  the  past,  he 
will  do  for  the  present  and  future  generations,  of 
those  who  serve  and  trust  him.  Following  those 
who  went  before,  in  faith  and  patience,  your  house 
shall  not  be  left  unto  you  desolate.  Let  nothing 
discourage  your  affiance,  nor  alienate  your  affec- 
tions, nor  depress  your  hope  ;  and  tliough  the  wa- 
ters around  the  sanctuary  should  roar  and  be 
troubled,  and  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swell, 
God  will  be  your  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  pres- 
ent help  in  trouble.  Follow  the  Lord  fully,  and 
you  have  nothing  to  fear  from  the  enemies  of  truth 
or  the  adversaries  of  righteousness. 

This  review  confirms  with  affecting  remembran- 
ces the  often  told  and  often  disregarded  fact,  that 
this  is  not  our  rest.  It  was  not  the  home  of  your 
fathers.  Their  lives  and  their  graves  admonish  us 
that  we  are  pilgrims.  Forget  it  not  their  children. 
And  you  who  have  now  become  fathers,  prepare 
to  follow  them  to  their  lowly  bed — prepare  to  meet 
vourGoD. 


The  pastors  who  first  guided  the  religious  views 
of  this  congregation,  with  the  thousands  who  fol- 
lowed or  gaiiisayed,  are  now  testing  their  correct- 
ness in  the  same  blessed  communion,  or  reaping  a 
harvest  of  remorse  in  a  widely  different  fellowship. 
What,  of  all  for  which  any  of  them  contended,  save 
a  pure  faith  and  a  holy  life,  is  of  any  value  to  them 
now!  What,  of  all  which  they  have  left  behind, 
save  their  pious  counsels,  and  the  virtuous  part  of 
their  examples,  is  of  any  real  value  to  their  chil- 
dren !  And  when  you  shall  have  followed  them  be- 
yond this  ocean  and  this  earth,  what  emotions, 
employments,  and  prospects,  are  to  occupy  your 

ETERMTY  ! 


AFFEHDIX. 


APPENDIX  I. 

We,  the  subscribing  brethren,  who  were  members  of  the  first  church  ia 
Newbury,  and  have  thought  it  our  duty  to  withdraw  therefrom,  do*  also 
look  upon  it  our  duty  to  enter  into  a  church  estate,  specially  as  we  appre- 
liend  this  may  be  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  as  well  as  for  our  own  mutual  edification  and  comfort. 

We  do,  therefore,  as  we  trust,  in  the  fear  of  God,  mutually  covenant  and 
agree  to  walk  together  as  a  church  of  Christ  according  to  the  rules  and 
order  of  the  gospel. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands  and  seals,  this 
3d  day  of  Jan.  A.  D,  1746. 

Charles  Pierce  Benjamin  Pierce  Nathaniel  Atkinson,  jr. 

Moses  Bradstreet  Daniel  Noyes  Jonathan  Plumer 

Edward  Presbury  Mager  Goodwin  Daniel  Goodwin 

John  Brown  Thomas  Pike  Silvanus  Plumer 

Richard  Hall  Daniel  Wells  Samuel  Hall 

Benjamin  Knight  Joseph  Hidden  Cutting  Pettingell 

William  Brown 

APPENDIX  II. 
For  the  original  platform  and  covenant  of  this  church  and  the  manifesto 
■whh  which  it  is  prefaced,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  first   book  of  re- 
cords, in  the  hands  of  the  Clerk  of  the  first  Presbyterian  Church. 

APPENDIX  III. 
I'o  the  Rev.  Presbytery,  expected  to  meet  at  Seabrook,  &c. 
Rev.  and  beloved  brethren. 

We,  the  session  of  the  first  congregation  of  Newbury,  are  constrained  iti 
our  consciences  to  protest  against  some  of  the  proceedings  of  this  Presbyt- 
ery, particularly,  first,  in  refusing  to  receive  to  occasional  communion  with 
us  the  P»,ev.  Mr.  John  Murray  of  Booth  Bay,  when  he  offered  a  very  am- 
ple and  christian  satisfaction  for  those  mistakes  he  had  been  guilty  of  in 
years  past. 

Secondly  ;  We  are  dissatisfied  with  this  Presbytery,  for  receiving  a 
small  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston,  as  a  presbytcrian  congregation, 
connected  with  us. 

Thirdly  ;  V/e  are  dissatisfied  with  the  Presbytery's  citing  the  presbyte- 
Tian  congregation,  formerly  under  the  care  of  the  Rev,   Mr.   Morehead.  to 


"04 


APPENDIX. 


appear  and   answer  i'jv  their  giving  in  their  declinature,  thereby  miikmg 
ourselves  accusers  and  judges  in  the  same  matter. 

We  are  griesred,  brethren,  for  these  and  some  other  things,  on  account  of 
which  we  do  conscientiously  withdraw  our  connexion  with  this  Presbyte- 
ry, and  cannot  look  upon  ourselves  as  a  part  of  this  body,  though  at  the 
same  time  we  stand  ready  to  unite  with  those  presbyterian  congregations 
which  profess  a  strict  adherence  to  the  Westminster  confession  of  faith  and 
chatechisms  and  directories  of  church  government. 

Brethren,  farewell ;  live  in  love  and  peace,  the  God  of  love  and  peace 
be  with  you.  We  wish  you  that  wisdom  which  is  from  above,  which  is 
first  pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy 
and  good  fruits. 

We  are  your  aggrieved  brethren, 

JON.\THAN  PARSONS,  Minister,  }  In  behalf  of  the  church 
RALPH  CROSS,  Ruling  Elder,        ^      and  congregation. 


APPENDIX  IV. 

Officers  of  the  first  presbyterian  church  from  it?  organization  to  the  pres- 


ent period. 

Pastors. 
.Tonathan  Parsons 
John  Murray 
Daniel  Dana 
S.  P.  Williams 

Clerks. 
John  Brown 
Edward  Harris 
Joseph  Huse 
Stephen  Sewall 
Joseph  Moody. 

Deacons. 
Moses  Bradstreet 
William  Brown 
Parker  Noyes 
Samuel  Somerby 
Josiah  Titcomb 
Benjamin  Moody 
Daniel  Plumer 
Enoch  Titcomb 
Edmund  Sawyer 
Robert  Long 
Nehemiah  Haskell 
Joseph  Moody 
Jonathan  Beck. 

Elders. 
Thomas  Pike 
Benjamin  Knight 
Moses  Bradstreet 
Jonathan  Plumer 
John  Brown 
Enoch  Sawrer 


Elders. 
Samuel  Toppan 
Richard  Toppan 
Philip  Coombs 
Ralph  Cross 
Enoch  Titcomb,  jr. 
John  Morss 
Stephen  Sewall 
Ebenezer  Little 
Daniel  Noyes 
Timothy  Morss 
Nathan  Pierce 
John  Berry 
Isaac  Johnson 
Benjamin  Greenleaf 
Josiah  Titcomb 
William  Moulton 
Jonathan  Knight 
William  Alien 
Nehemiah  Haskell 
Henry  Titcomb 
Joseph  Chase 
Benjamin  Moody 
Benjamin  Lunt 
Jeremiah  Pearson 
Daniel  Wells 
Henry  Sleeper 
Moses  Atlrinson 
Joseph  Huse 
Caleb  Haskell 
Jonathan  Greenleaf 
James  Jewelt 


Elders. 
Nathaniel  Tenney 
Jacob  Knight 
Edward  Harris 
Daniel  Plumer 
Abraham  Noyes 
Jonathan  Parsons 
Joshua  Pilsbury 
Edmund  Davis 
Solomon  Pearson 
Matthew  Perkins 
Jacob  Boardmau 
Samuel  Noyes 
John  O'Brien 
Jonathan  Morss 
William  Coombs 
Silas  Parker 
JonaWian  Call 
Jonathan  Beck 
Benjamin  Wyatt 
James  Kimball 
Paul  Titcomb 
Thomas  M.  Clark 
Joshua  Hills 
Abraham  Wheelwright 
John  Wills,  jr. 
Joseph  Currier 
Joseph  Knapp 
Edward  Woodbury 
Ezra  Lunt 
Paul  Simpson 
Daniel  Bartleft 


APPENDIJ^  ^o 


APPENDIX  V. 
Resolutions  of  Session  August  13,  17i>2. 

1.  That  the  only  way  of  salvation  proposed  in  the  Gospel,  is  ou  the  foot- 
ing of  the  covenant  of  grace. 

2.  That  though  there  have  been  many  additions,  yet  there  never  was 
and  never  will  be  but  one  covenant  of  grace. 

3.  That  no  person  has  a  right  to  the  benefits  of  the  covenant  that  is  not 
in  the  covenant. 

4.  That  the  covenant  of  grace  contains  a  promise  of  life  and  salvation  on 
God's  part,  to  the  person  that  believes  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  all 
his  heart. 

5.  That  by  real  faith,  a  person  really  comes  into  the  covenant  of  grace  ; 
and  by  the  appearance  of  that  faith,  he  is  apparently  in  the  covenant. 

6.  That  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper  are  the  external  seals  of  the 
covenant  of  grace. 

7.  That  as  there  are  blessings  contained  in  the  covenant  of  grace,  the 
real  believer,  only,  has  a  real  right  to  them  in  the  sight  of  God  ;  and  the 
visible  believer  has  a  visible  right  to  them  in  the  sight  of  the  church. 

8.  That  infants,  during  their  infancj',  have  no  right  to  the  seals  of  the 
covenant  of  grace  but  what  they  derive  from  the  parent. 

9.  That  no  person  can  give  any  right  to  the  covenant  of  grace  or  its 
seals,  that  has  not  a  right  to  them  himself. 

10.  That  it  is  the  prerogative  of  God  only  to  judge  of  the  reality  of  a 
profession  of  religion,  yet  it  is  the  indispensable  duty  of  every  church  of 
Christ,  to  enquire  for  the  visibility  of  true  religion,  when  they  admit  any 
to  the  seals  of  the  covenant  of  grace. 

1 1.  That  real  religion  consists  in  real  conformity  to  the  scriptures,  and 
visible  religion  in  a  visible  conformity  to  the  scriptures. 

12.  That  a  credible  profession  of  that  conformity  is  all  the  church  can 
require. 

13.  That  //ia<  credibility  must  consist  in  a  profession  of  the  belief  and  a 
competent  knowledge  of  the  scriptures  and  the  doctrines  and  religion 
therein  contained  ;  in  consent  and  engagement  to  conform  to  all  its  com- 
mands, evidenced  in  the  life  and  conversation. 

APPENDIX  VI. 
No  instance  is  known  to  the  writer,  in  which  chuich  and  congregation 
have  opposed   each  other,  or  co-operated  with  niam/esi  reluctance,  since 
their  original  organization  to  the  present  period. 

APPENDIX  VII. 
We,  the  Minister  and  Elders  of  the  church,  having  had  the  si^-ht  and 
perusal  of  a  memorial,  drawn  up  and  spread  abroad  by  some  worthy  and 
dear  servants  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  Scotland,  wherein  a  concert  of 
prayer  is  proposed  to  all  christians  of  every  denomination  for  the  ooming: 
of  oOr  Lord's  kingdom,  are  well  pleased  with  the  thin",  nnd  for  ourrplvPB 


£6  APPENDIX. 

do  agree,  to  join  the  number  of  christians  already  agreed  upon  ceriam 
times  of  prayer  ;  and  as  we  are  agreed  in  this  among  ourselves,  so  we  do 
earnestly  recommend  the  same  to  this  church  and  congregation  in  the 
manner  following,  viz.  1.  That  on  every  Saturday  evening  and  Sabbath 
(lay  morning,  each  particular  person  by  him  or  herself  would  spend  some 
time  in  serious  consideration  of,  and  solemn  humiliation  before  God,  for 
his  or  her  own  particular  sins,  and  the  sins  llial  are  most  prevalent  among 
the  people  they  arc  most  acquainted  wuh,  and  those  sins  iu  general  that 
have  caused  the  Lord  to  withdraw  divine  influence  from  the  means  of 
grace  either  here  or  elsewhere,  and  in  solemn,  fervent  prayer,  that  God 
would  revive  his  own  work  of  grace  and  make  his  word  elTectual,  to  the 
pulling  down  the  strong  holds  of  sin,  and  building  up  the  kingdom  of 
Christ  ;  and  that  he  would  give  enlarged  measures  of  spiritual  light,  life, 
zeal,  courage  and  prudence  to  his  ministers,  and  abundantly  bless  his 
churches. 

2dly.  That  with  the  same  views,  and  for  the  same  end,  this  whole  church 
and  congregation  would  sweetly  agree  together,  in  fixedly  setting  apart  and 
religiously  spending  the  first  Tuesdays  in  February,  May,  August  and  No- 
vember, (or  so  much  of  said  days  as  each  one's  business  or  other  duty  will 
allow,)  in  solemn  fasting  and  prayer^  therein  joining  with  our  christian 
brethren  and  friends  in  Scotland  and  other  parts,  observing  the  same  set 
times  with  them,  and  that  for  the  same  purposes. 

3dly.  That  if  any  particular  person  or  persons  should,  by  unavoidable 
necessity,  be  hindered  from  attending  these  duties  upon  any  of  the  partic- 
ular times  mentioned,  then  that  such  person  or  persons  would  spend  the 
next  convenient  time  that  possibly  he  or  she  can  get  from  other  necessary 
engagements,  in  the  manner  before  prescribed. 

4thly,  That  every  one  would  spend  as  much  time  at  the  weekly  and 
quarterly  course  proposed  for  religious  exercises,  as  they  can  gain  from  oth- 
er duty  and  business,  and  especially  that  every  one  would  take  much  time 
in  the  proposed  quarterly  seasons  for  fasting  and  prayer,  and  observe  the 
same  with  great  care  and  attention. 

5thly.  That  the  same  rules  of  duty  be  observed  in  manner  and  form 
as  above  hinted  at,  for  the  term  of  seven  years,  beginning  the  time  from 
the  first  Tuesday  of  Feb.  inst.  provided  the  events  of  Providence  should 
not  call  for  an  alteration. 

6thly.  That  upon  all  the  proposed  times,  every  one  would  join  praise  to 
God  for  the  work  of  his  grace  in  general,  and  particularly  for  the  liberties 
enjoyed,  especially  those  of  a  religious  nature,  together  with  fervent  pray- 
ers for  a  revival  of  an  increase  of  grace,  for  the  continuance  of  our  liberties, 
and  for  a  blessing  upon  our  most  gracious  and  rightful  sovereign  King 
George  the  2d  and  all  his  family  ;  and  that  God  would  preserve  us,  even 
the  whole  nation  from  the  tyranny  and  arbitrary  power  of  a  Popish  pre- 
tender, and  establish  to  us  a  succession  of  pious  protestant  princes  in  the  il- 
lustrious house  of  Hanover. 

These  things,  dearly  beloved,  we  do  earnestly  recommend  to  your  seri- 
ous consideration  and  practice,  and  we  cannot  but  hope,  if  we  and  -^o'-.  d" 


APPENDIX.  o7 

carefully  obietve  ihem,  God  by  his  effectual  blessing,  may  make  ihem  an 
happy  mean  of  maintaining  a  lively  sense  of  God  and  his  grace,  and  of  com- 
forting and  quickening  his  children,  bearing  down  vice,  keeping  off  judg- 
ments threatened,  and  advancing  the  kingdom  of  our  divine  Lord  yet  more 
and  more  among  us  and  others. 

We  beseech  you  to  remember  these  things  if  they  are  of  consequence 
with  you,  and  never  grow  weary  and  faint  in  your  minds,  though  God 
should  seem  to  hide  himself  for  a  season.  Watch  against  a  lukewarm  in- 
difference in  them — stir  yourselves  up  unto  these  duties,  and  put  on  the 
strength  of  the  Lord.  Be  encouraged  and  confirmed  in  the  truth  of  the 
divine  promises,  and  say  with  the  prophet,  "  For  Zion's  sake  will  I  not  hold 
my  peace  ;  and  for  Jerusalem's  sake  I  will  not  rest  until  the  righteousness 
thereof  go  forth  as  brightness,  and  the  salvation  thereof  as  alampthatburn- 
eth."  If  we  are  engaged  in  these  things  with  the  rest  of  the  Lord's  people, 
who  can  tell  but  the  Lord  will  return  and  call  us  by  special  grace  more 
generally  ?  Who  can  tell  but  that  he  will  make  the  protestant  nations,  and 
this  wicked  land,  and  this  town,  and  particularly  this  dear  church  and  con- 
gregation a  crown  of  glory  in  his  hand.  May  he  not  soon  say  to  us,  even 
to  us,  that  we  shall  no  more  be  termed  forsaken,  nor  any  more  be  called 
desolate  ;  but  that  we  shall  be  a  people  in  whom  the  Lord  delighteth. 
O!  ye  that  make  mention  of  the  Lord,  keep  not  silence;  give  him  no 
rest  till  he  establish  and  till  he  make  Jerusalem  a  praise  in  the  whole  earth. 

The  above  and  foregoing  memorial  was  offered  to,  and  their  acceptance 
of  it  voted  by  the  presbyterian  church  and  congregation,  Feb.  1,  1747, 
nem.  con. 

APPENDIX  VIII. 
The  session,  from  a  consideration  of  the  melancholy  state  of  this  country 
at  this  day,  and  the  great  decline  of  religion  in  it,  and  especially  among  the 
rising  generation,  think  we  have  a  loud  and  solemn  call  to  extraordinary 
prayer  to  Almighty  God,  for  the  outpouring  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  a 
general  reformation  may  be  brought  about,  that  we  may  be  prepared  for  a 
merciful  deliverance  from  the  judgments  of  God's  righteous  and  holy  prov- 
idence that  are  come  upon  this  land  at  this  day  ;  therefore  we  agree,  for 
ourselves,  to  meet  weekly  for  the  above  purpose,  at  such  time  and  place  as 
shall  be  agreed  upon  from  time  to  time. 

APPENDIX  IX. 

To  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Christ,  at  J^ewbur^jport,  in  their  antinal 
meeting,  Jipril  2rf,  1781  : 

The  ruling  Elders  thereof  for  the  year  1780,  wish  grace,  mercy  and  peace 
from  God  the  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  through  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Dearly  beloved  in  thk  Lord, — That  the  Holy  and  Righteous 
Sovereign  of  the  Universe  has  at  this  time  an  open  controversy  with  this 
land,  is  too  manifest  to  need  proof:  and  when  wc  consider  the  sad  decleU" 
sion  of  vital  piety,  the  fashionable  neglect  of  Sabbaths  and  the  public  wor- 
■3hip  of  God,  the  growing  contempt  of  family  religion — and  even  of  the  cin- 

H 


58  APPENDIX. 

ties  of  justice,  sobriety  and  charity  that  so  generally  prevail,  we  need  not 
be  at  a  loss  to  fiod  out  the  cause  of  it. 

These  evils  we  are  persuaded  have  been  greatly  occasioned  and  strength- 
ened by  the  lamentable  decline  of  the  ancient  holy  discipline  and  govern- 
ment in  the  churches,  some  of  them  being  formed  upon  plans  evidently  un- 
scriptural  and  defective  :  others  laying  aside,  in  practice,  all  regard  to  the 
good  and  wholsome  platforms  to  which  they  in  theory  and  profession  ad- 
here. 

Hence  originated  the  awful  neglect  of  the  churches  in  regard  to  teach- 
'  ing  and  watching  over  the  children  and  youth  amongst  them  :  from  a 
strange  fancy  that  none  are  under  their  watch  and  care  till  they  offer  them- 
selves to  it  by  some  public  act  of  their  own  ;  and  that  although  it  is  at  the 
same  time  acknowledged  that  the  church  did  covenant  with  their  parent?, 
that  when  themselves  were  received,  their  seed  should  be  received  with 
them  ;  and  did  actually  recognize  themselves  members  of  her  body,  when 
she  admitted  them  in  earliest  infancy  to  the  ordinance  of  baptism.  Hence 
too  the  scriptural  duties  of  private  church  members  towards  each  other  and 
towards  them  that  are  without ;  the  duties  of  brotherly  and  friendly  caution 
and  council,  of  instruction  and  reproof,  have  gone  sadly  into  disuse  ;  and 
the  important  duty  of  christian  conference,  whereby  christian  fellow- 
ship has  ever  been  quickened  and  maintained,  and  without  which  their  so- 
lemn covenant  cannot  be  truly  fulfilled,  seems  to  be  almost  lost. 

And  hence  in  fact  it  has  come  to  pass,  that  the  solemn  charge  of  church 
officers,  has  been  but  too  slightly  fulfilled  by  them,  and  its  nature  and  ex- 
tent but  too  little  understood  by  the  people  in  general^;  and  therefore  a 
backwardness  has  been  apparent  among  them  in  submitting  to,  or  improv- 
ing those  duties,  when  seriously  attempted. 

The  excellent  constitution  of  this  church,  wherein  conformed  to  that  of 
the  presbyterian  church  in  general,  has  not  failed  to  make  suitable  provis- 
ion for  keeping  up  that  holy  watch  in  both  officers  and  private  christians, 
which  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  has  built  as  a  fence  around  it ;  and  in  our 
better  days,  that  provision  was  not  neglected  in  this  church.  But  of  late 
years,  since  the  health  of  our  late  dear  and  llev.  Pastor  was  on  the  decline, 
and  he  was  thereby  disabled  for  his  wonted  exertions,  and  more  especially 
since  the  righteous  hand  of  God  has  deprived  us  of  the  life  of  that  faithful 
watchman  through  various  causes,  we  have  seen  our  walls  going  to  decay; 
and  it  has  been  matter  of  deepest  grief  to  find  this  church,  once  adorned 
with  the  beauties  of  holiness,  gradually  sinking  back  again  into  the  gulf 
from  whence  the  Lord  at  first  snatched  it  with  the  arm  of  his  power — the 
Spirit  of  God  withdrawn — the  power  of  godliness  dwindled — the  beauty  of 
ordinances  defaced — the  discipline  and  government  which  once  guarded 
them,  continually  vanishing — the  love  that  once  knotted  the  saints  so  close- 
ly together,  greatly  relaxed — and  the  children  of  God  estranged  from  each 
other  ;  while  at  the  same  time  they  beheld  the  enemies  of  religion  mak- 
ing their  holds  stronger  every  day — vice  and  profaneness  rising  and  raging 
so  as  to  dare  to  put  godliness  to  ridicule — and  openly  to  threaten,  after  the 
few  remaining  wrestlers  are  called  home,  to  deluge  this  land  with  deism 
and  infidelity  oa  tha  one  hund.,  and  with  the  madness  o:  cj;*!i';siaEm  en  the 


APPENDIX.  59 

other  I  These  things  have  constrained  our  souls  to  weep  in  secret ;  espe- 
cially when  we  saw  them  so  little  mended  by  the  awful  judgments  of  heav- 
en that  have  commissioned  the  devouring  sv/ord,  through  a  course  of  years, 
to  bring  desolation  to  almost  every  door  :  and  it  is  for  the  guilty  share  in 
these  transgressions,  which  we  of  this  church  have  long  held,  that  so 
mournful  a  withdraw  of  the  divine  influence  has  been  visible  amongst 
\is,  and  the  church  so  long  denied  the  privilege  of  a  re-settlement  of  a  sta- 
ted pastor  :  and  although  we  must  acknowledge  to  the  glory  of  sovereign 
grace,  that  the  Lord  hath  lately  been  doing  some  glorious  things  amongst 
lis,  by  means  of  his  word  and  ordinances,  amidst  all  our  unworthiness ;  yet, 
for  many  reasons,  we  have  no  hope  of  those  means  being  continued  with  us 
much  longer  ;  nor  of  seeing  our  share  in  the  judgment  removed,  unless  our 
hands  be  first  withdrawn  from  those  backslidiugs  that  have  drawn  them 
down. 

After  long  and  serious  consideration  of  these  things,  we  are  clearly  con- 
vinced that  it  is  the  immediate  duty  of  this  church  to  be  humbled  before 
the  Lord  for  all  our  declensions — to  repent  and  do  our  first  works — and  to 
endeavor,  in  the  fear  of  God,  without  delay,  to  set  heartily  about  a  refor- 
mation of  whatever  is  amiss  with  us ;  and  not  stop  short  of  that  purity  and 
order  which  she  once  possessed. 

To  help  you  forward  in  this  work,  we  have  taken  some  steps  in  the  years 
past :  those  were  only  such  however  as  were  found  indispensably  necessary 
at  the  time  ;  and  they  must  be  utterly  unavailing  if  they  be  not  heartily 
seconded  by  you,  and  rendered  effectual  by  other  steps  no  less  important. 
And  as  it  is  the  business  of  this  meeting,  to  call  out  some  of  our  brethren 
to  go  before  us  in  this  work  for  the  present  year,  we  think  it  our  duty  to 
take  this  opportunity,  with  all  humility  and  deference,  to  propose  to  your 
consideration  some  things  which  appear  to  us  necessary  for  the  restoring 
this  church  to  its  former  beauty,  and  promoting  the  power  of  godliness 
amongst  us  at  this  daj — the  which  we  intreat  you  to  consider  as  coming 
from  brethren  that  have  long  walked  with  you — to  whose  heart  nothing 
lies  nearer  than  your  edification  and  comfort  in  religion  ;  and  who  are  now 
(at  least  several  of  them)  apparently  just  stepping  into  the  eternal  world. 

In  the  first  place,  as  each  elder  is  appointed  to  a  more  special  watch 
over  a  particular  ward  or  district  of  the  parish  and  all  applications  to  the 
session  that  concerns  any  person  in  his  ward  are  to  be  brought  forward 
by  him  he  is  supposed  to  be  able  to  report  the  state  of  it  to  the  session 
at  their  meetings  ;  we  think  it,  therefore,  very  expedient,  that  each  elder 
should  visit  the  families  in  his  district  as  often  as  he  can,  and  endeavour  to- 
furlher  the  interests  of  piety  among  them  ;  and  especially,  that  the  mem- 
bers in  full  communion,  be  visited  preparatory  to  each  administration  of 
the  supper. 

2dly.  As  the  ancient  and  laudable  practice  of  Pastoral  visitation  has 
been  ever  universally  the  usage  of  the  reformed  churches,  is  evidently  a 
divine  ordinance,  a  service  to  the  faithful  performance  of  which,  every 
minister  is  expressly  bound  by  his  ordination  vow,  seems  necessary,  not 
only  to  follow  up  the  public  ministration  of  the  word  to  full  effect,  but 
also  to  give  the  pastor  such  knowledge  of  the  state  of  the  flock  as  to  enable 


60  APPENDIX. 

liim  to  direct  to  them  from  the  pulpit,  addresses  suitable  to  their  circum- 
stances, we  would  recommend  it  to  tho  church,  to  see  that  piactice  revi- 
ved amongst  us  ;  and  to  do  their  part  that  it  may  never  be  forgotten  in 
this  place  through  their  means. 

3dly.  It  being  very  manifest  that  the  general  ignorance  of  the  natnre  of 
religion  which  so  generally  prevails  amongst  the  rising  generation  is,  in 
many  respects,  owing  to  the  neglect  of  chatechizing  ;  a  mean  of  grace 
which  is  plainly  of  divine  appointment,  which  has  been  in  use  in  the 
churches  in  all  ages  ;  and  which  God  has  graciously  owned  for  eminent 
good  :  therefore,  we  would  earnestly  intreat  you,  for  your  children's  sake, 
of  the  church,  of  the  truth,  and  of  the  honor  of  God  and  religion,  heartily 
to  join  your  best  endeavours,  that  every  future  session  may  see  the  faith- 
ful and  constant  use  of  that  ordinance,  secured  to  the  children  of  this  socie- 
ty, for  the  time  to  come- 

4thly.  Forasmuch  as  nothing  has  a  more  direct  tendency  to  promote  the 
growth  of  grace,  and  to  secure  the  benefits  of  that  fellowship  and  com- 
munion, that  ought  to  be  found  amongst  God's  people,  than  frequent 
christian  conferences  well  regulated,  we  humbly  propose  it  to  you  as  a 
mean  of  the  revival  of  the  work  of  God  amongst  us,  that  each  elder  be 
required  to  take  some  prudent  method  to  draw  the  people  of  his  district 
to  attend  with  him  to  this  duty,  at  some  convenient  times  and  places ; 
where  all  such  as  freely  choose,  may  meet  together  for  conference  and 
prayer,  under  suitable  regulations  ;  and  that  whoever  ministers  the  word 
to  this  church  at  such  times,  should  be  requested  to  assist  at  such  conferen- 
ces, when  his  circumstances  will  admit. 

Stilly.  Since  there  may  be  many  cases  in  which  it  would  not  be  best 
for  the  elder  of  the  district  to  interfere  in  person,  and  many  which  may 
be  such  as  to  require  the  joint  efforts  of  more  than  one  at  once,  to  set  or 
keep  them  right  ;  therefore,  we  would  recommend  it  to  you,  to  take  such 
measures  as  may  induce  each  elder,  in  future,  to  choose  out  one,  two  or 
three  of  the  most  pious  and  prudent,  in  his  ward,  as  a  committee  of  refor- 
mation,  to  assist  him  in  fowarding  ihe  purposes  of  order,  peace  and  edifica- 
tion, aoreeable  to  the  long  and  profitable  custom  of  the  reformed  churches 
in  Europe. 

6thly.  We  think  it  would  greatly  tend  to  the  instruction  and  advantage 
of  all,  if  the  duties  of  ruling  elders  to  the  people,  and  those  of  the  people 
towards  them,  and  to  one  another,  as  fellow  members  of  the  same  body, 
were  openly  inculcated  from  the  pulpit  on  the  Sabbath  every  year,  when 
the  persons  elected  are  about  to  be  admitted  into  their  office  ;  and  each 
party  were  solemnly  exhorted  and  engaged  to  the  faithful  discharge  there- 
of ;  and  we  therefore  would  propose  it  to  the  church,  to  request  whoever 
shall  be  preacher  here  at  the  time  to  do  that  service  for  us. 

These  things,  dearly  beloved,  we  are  moved  to  propose  to  you,  being 
fully  persuaded,  that  if,  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  they  be  heartily  pursued 
by  this  church,  it  will  greatly  tend  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  interest  of 
religion,  and  the  edification  of  the  body  of  Christ  among  us  ;  and  if  so,  is  it 
not  the  duty  of  every  christian  to  attempt  it  ?  Is  not  every  member  bound 
to  do  so,  from  the  bonds  of  love  to  God  and  Christ :  of  charity  to  men  ; 


APPENDIX.  01 

of  their  express  corenant,  engagements  and  the  many  commands  in  Scrip' 
ture  obliging  us  ever  to  seek  those  ends,  in  all  we  do  ?  And  if  it  is  duty  to 
attempt  this  at  all,  is  it  not  equally  so,  to  do  it  with  all  our  might,  through 
all  obstacles,  at  all  times,  and  to  make  it  the  aim  of  all  our  lives  ?  If  so,  is 
it  not  more  especially  a  duty  in  evil  times  ?  Is  it  not  loudly  called  for  at 
this  day,  and  in  kind,  necessary  to  the  removal  of  the  present  judgments ; 
and  indispensably  so,  to  encourage  any  minister,  whose  heart  is  set  on  see- 
ing the  fru  it  of  the  travail  of  Christ's  soul,  to  enter  into  a  pastoral  relation 
with  us  ?  And  would  it  not  then  be  a  great  sin  in  us,  to  decline  a  duty  to 
which  we  are  thus  loudly  called  ?  Would  it  not  be  a  breach  of  charity  and 
covenant  ?  And  in  effect,  a  conspiracy  against  the  church  of  Christ  ?  And 
make  us  eminently  partakers  in  other  men's  sins  ? 

It  is,  indeed  to  prosecute  these  ends,  that  the  word  and  ordinances  are 
administered  to  the  church  ;  for  this  it  is,  that  elders  are  chosen  and  call- 
ed by  the  church  to  take  the  lead  in  such  matters  ;  for  this,  they  are  spe- 
cially set  apart  to  that  work,  and  vested  with  office  power  and  trust  ; 
yea,  with  all  the  church's  power,  in  such  cases  ;  for  this,  they  are  charged 
to  look  on  themselves  bound  more  peculiarly  than  others  ;  Ezek.  34. 
Acts  20,  17,  28.  Rom.  12,  7,  8.  1  Cor.  12,  20.  Heb.  13, 17.  Thess. 
5,  12,  13,  &c.  &;c. 

We  could  not,  then,  deliver  our  souls,  at  this  crisis,  without  leaving  this 
testimony  of  our  affection  in  your  hands,  when  we  resign  the  charge  you 
have  committed  to  us.  We  hope  it  will  be  received  by  you  with  the 
same  temper,  with  which  it  is  offered  ;  and  we  earnestly  pray  the  great 
Head  of  Zion  to  give  you  and  us  all  that  wisdom  and  grace  which  may 
lead  us  to  take  the  path  which  himself  will  approve  at  the  last  day,  as  an 
evidence  of  the  sincerity  of  our  endeavours  to  be  faithful  in  a  few  things 
whilst  we  were  permitted  to  dwell  in  the  house  of  God  below. 

By  order,  STEPHEN  SE  WALL  Clerk  of  Session. 

April  25th,  1781. 

At  at  meeting  of  the  church  collective,  the  above  address  was  read  ;  and 
after  several  persons  had  expressed  their  minds  on  the  subject,  there  was 
a  unanimous  vote  to  accede  thereto. 

Attest,  E.  HARRIS,  Clerk  P.  T. 


APPENDIX  X. 

A  copy  of  the  act  of  incorporation  of  this  church,  may  be  found  upon  the 
record. 

APPENDIX  XI. 
The  original  call,  as  signed  by  the  congregation,  was  among  the  files  re- 
stored by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Giles  before  his  death,  and  is  now  in  the  hands  of 
the  clerk. 

APPENDIX  XII. 
To  the  church  and  congregation  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev. 
John  Murrav  at  Booth-Bav  : 


us!  APPENDIX. 

Brtehren  axd  Friends,— Since  we  as  chriiUans  profess  to  have  the 
g;lory  of  God,  and  the  universal  good  and  happiness  of  his  church  as  the 
object  of  our  highest  pursuit,  we  renew  our  request  to  you,  relying  on  your 
strict  adherence  to  the  presbyterian  government ;  and  since  it  has  been  the 
case  of  removing  a  minister  from  one  pari  of  the  church  of  God  to  another 
part  of  his  church;  and  since  we  have  made  trial  of  several  candidates, 
and  all  our  attempts  prove  in  vain,  and  we  have  sought  direction  of  Goi) 
by  fasting  and  prayer,  do  again  return  unto  the  Presbytery,  desiring  them 
to  re-consider  their  result  drawn  up  at  Falmouth,  Oct.  10, 1776,  and  to  take 
the  call  sent  from  tliis  church  and  congregation  of  Newburyport  into  their 
serious  consideration  again,  as  by  a  petition  sent  from  (he  church  and  con- 
gregation of  N.  will  more  fully  appear,  we  do  earnestly  request  your  cor- 
dial compliance  to  concur  with  us,  in  your  releasing  the  Rev.  J.  M.  from 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  and  congregation  at  B.  B.  that  he  may  be 
removed  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  amongst  us ;  and  we  hope  those  sin- 
ister Tiews  which  so  naturally  possess  the  mind,  will  have  no  place  in  your 
breasts,  where  the  glory  of  God  and  the  advancement  of  his  cause  and  in- 
terest, are  in  contemplation. 

By  and  in  behalf  of  the  church  and  congregation  in  Newburyport,  Feb. 
26,  1779.  S.  SEWELL,  Clerk. 

APPENDIX  XIII. 
W'e,  the  subscribers,  members  of  Presbytery  now  silting  at  Salem,  being 
deeply  impressed  with  concern  for  the  honor  of  God,  and  the  happiness  of 
the  presbyterian  church  in  New-England,  do  now  enter  our  dissent  from 
the  proceedings  of  this  Presbytery,  respecting  the  Rev.  John  Murray,  and 
prote  stagainst  the  same. 

1.  Because  there  ought  not  any  regard  be  paid  to  the  judgment  of  any 
Presbytery  that  was  drawn  up  and  published  against  him,  without  a  legal 
notification  or  citation  to  Mr.  Murray,  that  he  might  make  his  defence. 

2.  His  affairs  have  been  already  inspected  by  as  legal  and  proper  a  judi- 
cature as  this  to  which  he  now  belongs — ^nd  he  has  been  by  them  restored. 

3.  He  has,  in  the  most  free  and  candid  manner,  made  all  the  confessions 
and  concessions  that  can  be  demanded  or  expected,  to  entitle  him  to  the 
communion  of  any  christian  society,  or  regular  judicatory  in  the  church 
of  Christ. 

Ministers,  Elders, 

Jonathan  Parsons,  Ralph  Cross, 

John  Houston,  Benjamin  Smith, 

Simon  Williams.  John  Crawford. 
Salenu,  September  15,  1774. 

APPENDIX  XIV. 

Whereas,  the  session  determined  at  their  last  meeting,  to  decide  on  the 
case  of  sundry  members  of  this  church,  who  have  separated  themselves  for 
some  time  past  from  the  worshipping  of  God  with  us  ;  before  we  proceed 
to  any  judgment  in  this  case,  we  would  premise  the  following  things  :  la 
the  first  place,  we  recognize  it  as  one  of  the  chief  natural  rights  of  all  men, 


APPENDIX.  Cii 

to  woiship  God  according  to  their  consciences;  but  would  observe, 
that  merely  in  the  state  of  natural  religion,  no  persuasion  ought  to  be  con- 
sidered as  the  voice  of  conscience,  which  is  not  dictated  by  the  principles  of 
that  religion ;  and  therefore,  much  more  under  the  light  of  Christianity, 
nothing  can  be  accounted  a  conscientious  principle,  which  cannot  plead  the 
authority  of  divine  revelation. 

2.  We  rejoice  in  the  establishment  of  our  civil  and  religious  rights  by 
our  happy  constitution,  and  especially  in  the  generous  laws  of  Christianity 
which  make  churches  voluntary  societies,  and  forbid  all  sorts  of  persecu- 
tion for  conscience-sake  ;  yet,  we  consider  these  principles  so  far  from  be- 
ing opposite  to  civil  order  and  lawful  subordination  in  the  state,  or  to  that 
of  religion  in  the  church,  that  on  the  contrary  we  view  them  as  confirm- 
ing of  both;  and  therefore,  upon  this  footing,  have  ever  considered  them- 
selves authorized,  both  by  the  law  of  reason  and  scripture,  to  form,  and 
freely  to  agree  upon  particular  constitutions,  by  which  they  will  govern 
themselves  in  their  respective  departments ;  and  when  such  constitutions 
are  formed  by  the  voluntary  acts  of  either,  they  are  respectively  bound  by 
them.  We  believe  the  best  constitution  either  for  church  or  state,  is  that 
which  is  most  explicit  and  certain,  fairly  recorded  and  ratified  by  the  con- 
tract or  covenant  of  the  parties.  This  is  to  be  considered  as  their  funda- 
mental law,  and  all  after  laws  are  dependent  on  it.  From  these  principles 
it  is  clear,  that  to  bind  men  who  have  voluntarily  taken  this  engagement 
on  themselves,  to  regular  and  constant  obedience  to  its  several  articles 
militates  nothing  against  the  truest  idea  of  liberty,  civil  or  religious;  but 
the  reverse  is  in  its  own  nature  contrary  to  both,  and  in  consequences  ruin- 
ous to  both  church  and  state,  opening  the  flood  gates  to  anarchy  in  the  one, 
and  to  schisms  and  confusion  in  the  other.  The  grand  platform  of  all  church- 
es is  the  Scriptures — and  when  a  particular  church,  formed  upon  this 
ground,  solemnly  declares  in  a  standing  and  public  instrument,  a  summary 
of  the  principles  of  faith  and  practice  by  which  she  consents  to  be  bound 
as  a  rule,  and  her  several  members  subscribe  with  their  own  hand  the 
same — Ihen  this  obligation  becomes  to  all  such  members  a  bond  of  the 
most  sacred  nature,  as  it  is  not  only  a  covenant  of  men  with  men,  but  also 
of  men  with  a  chuich  taken  in  the  name  and  presence  of  God,  and  as  such 
becomes  a  covenant  with  them.  Breaches  of  this  bond,  therefore,  cannot 
be  less  criminal  in  a  moral  view,  than  breaches  of  notes  or  bonds  of  mere- 
ly a  civil  nature.  Among  the  articles  of  that  covenant  upon  which  this 
particular  church  is  framed,  every  member  has  bound  himself,  first  to 
maintain  and  attend  the  worship  and  all  ordinances  of  God  in  it  •  and  se- 
condly, to  seek  its  peace,  and  avoid  all  occasions  of  stumbling  and  conten- 
tions. Hence  it  is  evident  that  this  sacred  bond  is  openly  violated,  by  wilful 
separation  from  such  ordinances,  and  habitual  desertions  from  such  worship 
This  is  true,  in  fact,  not  only  of  those  who  are  called  church  members  iu 
a  particular  sense,  but  also  of  all  such  as  have  owned  the  church  covenant, 
and  so  bound  themselves  by  it ;  but  the  crime  is  more  aggravated  in  the 
former  than  the  latter,  because  it  carries  in  it  the  breach  of  bonds  more 
frequently  and  solemnly  taken,  and  therefore  it  is  of  all,  most  criminal  when 
foand  in  the  officers  who  arebc.md  to  watch  and  guide  the  conduct  of  oth- 


t^i  APPENDIX. 

cr  members.     It  is  not  here  intended  to  consider  worshipping  occasionallif 
•with  other  churches  as  included  in  that  breach  of  covenant,  any  more  than 
ministers'  preaching  occasionally  to  societies  not  their  own.  But  when  these 
practices  are  avowed  and  habitual,  the  church,  however  ready  to  forgive 
upon  proper  evidence  of  repentance,  is  bound  to  censure  until  such   evi- 
dence  appear ;  first,  because   the  covenant  betwixt   her  and  particular 
members  is  mutual ;  and  secondly,  because  therein   she  has  stipulated  to 
them  her  best  watch  and  care,  as  well  as  they  to  her  their  regular  subjec- 
tion to  order ;  thirdly,  because  omission  of  this  duty  would  be   no   less  a 
breach  of  covenant  in  her,  than  the  conduct  calling  for  it  in  them.     This 
•would  involve  irapiety  and  immorality  at  once  ;  and  hence,  affixing  due 
censure  in  these  cases  is  not  persecution,  but  justice  and  charity  :  and  such 
men  seeking  for  an  escape  from  them  by  taking  dismissions,  can  be  no  ob- 
jection against  her  proceeding  ;  because,  first,  no  such   dismission  can  be 
given  while  the  parties  asking  them  remain  under  blame,  or  the  churches 
to  which  they  ask  them  are  not  considered  as  being  in  the  order  which  en- 
titles to  her  charity  and  communion  ;  secondly,  because  what  the  church 
cannot  lawfully  give  them,  they  cannot  lawfully  take  to  themselves  ;  and 
therefore  their  taking  it  over  the  head  of  all  order,  so  far  from   obviating 
their  offences,  renders  them  doubly  criminal.    This  does  not  infer  "  that 
churches  are  prisons,"  but  only  that  members  in  them  are  bound  by  their 
own  covenant  to  act  by  their  own  rules ;  and  when  they  refuse  this,  that 
the  church  are  bound  on  their  part,  to  support  and  execute   the  law  of 
Christ's  house  against  them ;  and  therefore,  whereas,  D.  P.  &:  S.  H.  &c» 
have  been  found  by  the  judgment  of  this  session,  to  be  guilty  of  the  afore- 
said offences,  and  some  of  t^em  with  special  aggravations ;  this  session,  after 
personal  dealings  with  theiii  in  a  more  private  way,  to  bring  them  to  a  sense 
of  their  sin  and  a  return  to  their  duty,  and  after  patiently  waiting  without 
the  appearance  of  any  fruit  of  these  labors,  did  and  hereby  do,  by  the  au- 
thority which  Christ  hath  imparted  to  his  church,  and  which  the  constitu- 
tion of  this  church  binds  her  to  exercise  by  the  hands  of  her  ruling  elders, 
suspend  from  the  enjoyment  of  the  special  privileges  to  which  the  regular 
members  of  this  church  are  entitled,  the  several  persons  above  named,  until 
they  have  manifested  their  repentance  to  the  satisfaction  of  this  church  or 
its  session  ;  and  as  it  is  said  there  are  some  others  of  this  church  in  the  like 
case,  whose  conduct  having  never  been  judicially  examined  by  us,  could 
not  be  properly  made  objects  of  church  discipline  at  this  time  ;  the  session, 
therefore,  resolved  to  request  the  pastor  in  fencing  the  table  the  next  sacra- 
ment from  the  pulpit,  to  debar  covenant  breakers  in  general  terms,  and  re- 
solved withal  that  the  session  will  not  fail  impartially  to  execute  the  laws 
of  Christ's  house,  upon  all  such  as  are  found  avowedly  to  trample  on  the 
same,  and  that  without  respect  of  persons,  when  their  guilt  shall  be  pub- 
lickly  known,  and  judicially  inquired  into. 


APPENDIX  XV. 
The  church  formerly  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Lowell  retaining  on  its  rec- 
ords, the  views  expressed  in  the  extracts,  page  15,  virtually  disclaims  con- 
•Qexion  with  the  first  presbyterian  church  and  denies  its  right  to  its  fellovr- 
ship. 


APPENDIX.  66 


APPENDIX  XVI. 
A  noble  example  of  liberality  was  given  the  congregation  by  Mr,  Cross, 
oneof  its  earliest  and  most  persevering  friends,  who,  though  dependent  oa 
his  own  industry,  hospitably  provided  for  the  first  preacher  for  three  years  ; 
bore  a  great  part  of  the  expense  in  the  erection  of  the  first  meeting  house, 
and  was  the  principal  donor  among  the  seven  who  presented  Mr.  Parsons 
with  a  valuable  dwelling  house. 

The  church,  from  a  very  early  period,  has  defrayed  the  expenses  incident 
to  their  representation  in  presbyterial  meetings  stated  and  occasional,  and 
with  the  congregation  provided  of  choice  for  the  judicatories  at  their  meet- 
ings in  this  place,  and  while  not  unmindful  of  the  poor  of  the  household  of 
faith  especially,  has  ever  united  in  the  annual  contribution  for  the  poor  of 
the  society  without  discrimination. 

To  the  legacy  of  Mr.  parsons,  the  society  by  vote  relinquished  its  legal 
claim  for  the  benefit  of  the  heirs  of  his  son. 

For  the  widow  of  Mr.  Murray,  and  the  education  of  her  son,  provision 
was  made  by  the  societ)'  to  the  amount  of  several  hundred  pounds  ;  and  to 
the  memory  of  Mr.  Murray,  who  had  declined  a  burial  in  the  tomb  under 
the  church,  with  Whitfield,  r arsons  and  Prince,  erected  a  marble  monu- 
ment. 

Without  his  solicitation,  the  salary  of  Mr.  Murray's  successor  was  doubled 
by  vote  of  the  society  for  several  years  in  succession,  and  increased  in  one 
year,  in  consideration  of  his  expenses,  as  commissioner  to  General  Assembly, 
to  eleven  hundred  dollars. 

During  the  ministry  of  the  present  pastor,  contributions  have  been  made 
by  the  congregation,  to  almost  every  charitable  object,  within  its  reach, 
without  invidious  regard  to  sect,  complexion,  or  nation,  to  an  amount  rather 
exceeding,  than  falling  short  of  $700  annually  ;  although  it  is  neither  the 
first  nor  second  in  pecuniary  ability. 

Through  members  of  the  female  bible  class  and  other  contributors  of 
both  sexes  in  the  congregation,  the  pastor  has  received  membership  in  most 
of  the  charitable  societies  worthy  the  patronage  of  a  christian  public  ;  and 
it  is  chiefly  from  respect  to  their  motives,  that  he  contents  himself  with  the 
expression  of  his  gratitude  on  so  obscure  a  page.  Than  his  praises,  and  the 
public  gaze,  they  have  a  higher  reward. 

APPENDIX  XVII. 
Printed  works  of  Mr.  Parsons. 

1.  Letters  in  the  Christian  History. 

2.  Sermon  at  the  Boston  Lecture,  1742. 

3.  Good  News  from  a  far  country,  7  discourses,  1756. 

4.  Rejoinder  to  R.  Abercrombie's  remarks  on  a  fairnarrative  of  the  pro- 

ceedings Presb.  of  Boston,  against  himself,  1758. 

5.  Sermon  on  connexion  between  true  godliness,  &c.  1759. 

6.  Manna  gathered  in  the  morning,  sermon,  1761. 

7.  Infant  Baptism  from  heaven,  2  discourses,  1770. 

I 


66  APPENDIX. 

8.  SertnoB  on  the  death  of  Rev.  G.  Whitfield,  1770. 

9.  Controversial  letter  to  Smith  on  baptifm. 

10    Freedom  from  Civil  and  Ecclesiastical  Tyranny,  1774. 
11.  60  Sermons,  2  vols.  8vo.  posth.  1780. 

APPENDIX  XVIir. 

See  Searle's  funer.  sen.  prefixed  to  Mr.  Parsons'  vols.  The  sermon  of 
Mr.  Murray  occasioaed  by  Mr.  Parsons' death,  the  church  was  unable  to 
procure.  I  could  not  furnish  a  copy,  he  replied  to  its  request  unless  "I 
were  in  the  same  de?k,  be  ore  the  same  people,  on  the  same  occasion,  and 
in  all  the  same  circumstances  of  body  and  mind.'* 

APPEx\DIX  XIX. 
Printed  works  of  Mr.  Murray. 

1.  Last  solemn  scene,  with  an  advtsmt.  Bost.  1768. 

Reprinted.  Newb.  1793. 

2.  Appeal  to  the  imp.  pub.  in  behalf  of  the  oppressed,  Salem,  1770, 
3    Serm.  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  P.  Lane,  1781. 

4.  Thank'giv,  for  peace,  1783.  i, 

5.  Ser   fun.  Capt.  J.  Parsons,  1785.  h(> 

6.  Bathkol,  1  vol.  by  Comm.  Presbyt.  1788.     ;; 

7.  Three  Ser.  on  justification,  l7o8. 

8.  Ser.  fun.  Mr.  Ralph  Cross,  1788. 

9.  Ori-m  of  evil,  1790. 

10    Ser.  on  the  death  Rev.  J.  Prince,  1791. 

As  the  lists  of  Mr.  Parsons'  and  Mr.  Murray's  works  have  been  collected 
from  oral  as  well  as  written  and  printed  sources,  they  are,  no  doubt,  in  sev- 
eral respects  imperfect. 

APPENDIX  XX. 
The  following  anecdote,  still  current,  exemplifies  the  remark.  One  of 
his  eiirly  opposers,  a?  he  entered  the  place  of  worship  with  Mr.  Parsons, 
gave  him  a  text  for  the  lecture,  as  a  test  of  his  qualifications  for  the  minis- 
try. The  preacher  laid  aside  his  preconceived  sermon,  and  discoursed 
with  such  ability  as  disarmed  prejudice,  and  called  forth  the  extravagant 
saying  of  Mr.  Parsons,  that  he  had  not  been  surpassed  since  the  days  of  the 
apostles. 

APPENDIX  XXT. 
The  following  inscription  on  his  monument,  expresses  the  sentimeats  en« 
terlained  of  his  character  by  his  people  : 

Pause  reader, 

and 

silently  muse  o\  er  the  remains 

of  a  Man, 

in  whom  were  united  the  tender  Husband, 

the  faithfal  Father,  the  instructive  Companion, 


APPENDIX.  67 

the  obliging  Friend, 

the  animated  Preacher, 

and 

the  able  defender  of  the  Christian  cause ; 

whose  death  was  triumphant. 

APPENDIX  XXII. 

For  several  years  the  town  of  Newbury  had  no  instructors  but  its  pas- 
tors. The  first  school  bouse  was  built  in  1639.  and  the  sakry  of  the  teach- 
er, 'he  use  of  4  acres  of  upland  and  6  of  salt  marsh. 

The  first  grammar  school  was  opened,  1675,  and  four  years  after,  when 
the  number  of  voter?  had  increased  to  200,  the  salary,  fixed  by  order  of 
general  court,  was  £,bO. 

That  the  means  of  instruction  were  very  limited  or  very  partially  en- 
joyed, may  be  inferred  also  from  the  fact  that  a  large  proportion  of  sub- 
scribers to  the  covenant  were  unable  to  write  their  names. 

The  following  is  an  exact  transcript  from  the  records  of  the  first  church 
in  Newbury  : 

Newberry  the  9  dy  of  September  1696  then  mr  Christopher  toppan  was 
or  deand  pastour  of  the  chorth  of  christ  at  Newberry  by  messin^-ars  of 
fieve  chorthes  Ipswith  Wenham   Rowly  bradford  haverhill  their  was  six 

elders   William  hubard  :  Zechariah  sims    Joseph    gearish paly benie- 

men  Rolfe  John  Rogers ;  and  their  was  two  of  the  messingars  which  were 
justissis :  Nathanwell  Saltoustall  and  Thomas  wade — and  four  Juslissis 
moore  present  Robard  Pike,  domil  parce  dudly  bradstreet  Simoa 

wainwrjght ;  Tristram  Coffin 

Clerk 

APPENDIX   XXIII. 
The  printed  works  of  the  third  pastor  of  the  church,  are  Addresses  4, 
Discourses  and  Sermons  32. 


FIJVIS. 


■  The  reader  will  observe  that  some  of  the  articles  in  the  appendix  should 
have  been  placed  among  the  marginal  notes,  and  several  documents  in  the 
test  among  those  in  the  appendix. 

He  will  also  notice  the  following  typographical  errors,  viz  : 
Page 


9,    line    20, 

overweaning 

instead  of  overweening 

15,              22, 

agreeable 

agreeably 

21,              27, 

these 

the 

38,                6, 

their 

the 

39,                7, 

congragation 

congregation 

44,                2, 

dependant 

dependent. 

60,  _            7, 

chatechizing, 

catechizing. 

11? 


^- 


EEV.  MR.  STEAMS' 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE. 


<y : 4, 


ismw.  smu^m£M  WMmmmw^  Mo jv 


HISTORICAL    DISCOURSE, 


COMMEMORATIVE    OF    THE    ORGANIZATION    OF    THE 


Sixst  Presbgtcrian  (!Il)urcl). 


IN  NEWBURYPORT, 


DELIVERED    AT    THE 


[FIRST  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION,  JAN.  7,  1846. 


By  JONATHAN  F.  STEARNS,  Pastor. 


NEWBURYPORT: 

PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  G.  TILTON. 

1846. 


NEWBURYPORT,  Jaw.  15,  I845' 


Rev.  and  Dear  Sir: 


The  undersigned,  a  Committee  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Society,, 
would  express  to  you  their  sincere  thanks  for  the  very  interesting  and 
instructive  Discourse,  delivered  by  you  on  the  recent  Centennial  Anniver- 
sary, and  vrould  respectfully  request  a  copy  of  the  same  for  publication. 

Hoping  that  you  may  accede  to  our  wishes,  we  are.  Dear  Sir,  with 
sentiments  of  respect, 

Truly  Yours, 

MOSES  PETTINGELL,) 

EZRA  LUNT,  }  CommiUee, 

ROGER  S.  HOWARD,    > 


HASKELL  &  MOORE.  PKINTERS, 
No.  4  Washington  Sirebt,    .    .    .    Bostow. 


The  dates,  uniformly  given  in  the  following  narrative,  prior  to  1752, are, 
as  respect  the  month  and  day  of  the  month,  in  the  Old  Style.  This  was 
thought  to  be,  on  the  whole,  the  preferable  method,  as  the  dates  could,  in 
this  way,  be  seen  at  once  to  correspond  to  those  of  the  documents  from 
which  they  are  taken.  It  will  be  very  easy,  however,  for  the  reader  to 
reduce  them  to  the  present  mode  of  reckoning,  by  adding,  in  each  instance, 
eleven  days  to  the  date  given.  Thus  the  date  of  the  organization  of  the 
Church  is  given,  in  the  Church  Records,  and  in  the  present  narrative,  as 
the  3d  of  January.  According  to  the  present  reckoning,  the  true  anni- 
versary of  that  event  is  on  the  fourteenth.  The  same  reduction  must  be 
applied  to  the  events  which  follow. 

In  preparing  this  discourse  the  authorities  relied  upon  have  been,  1st,  the 
Records  and  files  of  the  Church.  2d,  a  manuscript  statement,  supposed  to 
have  been  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  containing  copies  of 
votes  of  tlie  First  Church  in  Newbury,  and  correspondence  between  the 
aggrieved  of  that  Church  and  the  pastor,  with  the  result  of  the  exparte 
council,  called  by  the  aggrieved.  3d,  a  copy  of  the  result  of  the  exparte 
council,  subsequently  called  by  the  Church  and  pastor.  4th,  the  ecclesias- 
tical files  of  the  State,  containing  petitions  and  remonstrances  from  the 
different  parties,  and  the  originals  of  a  somewhat  extended  correspondence 
between  the  aggrieved  of  the  third  Church  in  Newbury  and  their  pastor. 
5th,  the  Records  of  the  First  and  Third  Churches. -^  6th,  the  manuscript 
journal  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Parsons.    7th,  a  manuscript  collection  of  letters 

^   written  by  Mr.  Parsons,  and  now  in  the  possession  of  some  cf  his  descend- 
A^   ants.     8th,  Prince's  Christian  History,  Tucker's  "Brief  Account,"  and  a 

^^    variety  of  miscellaneous  pamphlets  and  volumes. 

^_        The  author  would  tender  his  sincere  thanks  to  the  Clerks  of  the  First 
-   Church  in  Newbury  and  the  First  Church  in  Newbury  port,  for  their  polite- 
ness in   allowing  him  the  use  of  their  Records.     Also,  to  Joshua  Coffin, 
Esq.  and  others,  for  valuable  documents  furnished  by  them. 


.^s 


DISCOURSE. 


Psalm  Ixxviii:  2 — 7. 


1  will  utter  dark  sayings  of  old,  which  we  have  heard  and  known  and 
•our  fathers  have  told  us ;  we  will  not  hide  them  from  their  children, 
shewing  to  the  generation  to  come  the  praises  of  the  Lord  and  his  strength 
and  the  wonderful  works  that  he  hath  done  ;  for  he  established  a  testimony 
in  Jacob  and  appointed  a  law  in  Israel,  which  he  commanded  our  fathers, 
that  they  should  make  them  known  to  their  children  ;  that  the  generation 
to  come  might  know  them,  even  the  children  which  should  be  born,  who 
should  arise  and  declare  them  to  their  children  ;  that  they  might  set  their 
hope  in  God,  and  not  forget  the  works  of  God,  but  keep  his  commandments. 


The  passage  of  Scripture  just  recited,  no  less  than  the 
present  occasion,  invites  us  to  review  and  rernember,  that 
we  may  transmit  to  those  who  come  after  us,  the  history 
of  God's  goodness  to  us  as  a  people. 

The  planting  of  a  Church  and  the  gathering  of  a  religious 
society,  are  among  the  most  important  events  in  the  history 
of  any  community.  What  influences  for  good  or  for  evil, 
will  be  shed  abroad  from  the  fruit  and  leaves  of  that  tree ! 
If  a  true  Church,  established  upon  true  principles,  maintain- 
ing the  faith  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  built  on  him,  as  its 
chief  corner-stone,  how  salutary  will  be  the  effects  of  its 
existence.  If  a  false  or  corrupt  Church — a  Church  designed 
to  inculcate  false  doctrine,  or  maintain  the  forms  without 
the  substance  of  the  Gospel,  how  deplorable  will  be  the 

1* 


consequences  to  multitudes !  Such  as  the  Churches  are,  in 
a  given  community,  such,  as  a  general  rule,  will  be  the 
character  of  the  people  at  large. 

The  Church,  whose  first  centennial  anniversary  we  now 
celebrate,  (App.  1.)  had  its  origin  at  a  period  of  no  com- 
mon interest.  The  "  Great  Awakening,"  which  commenced 
about  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  forty,  is  deservedly 
regarded  as  an  era  in  the  history  of  the  Churches  in  New 
England.  Then  a  change  was  begun  in  their  character 
which  is  felt,  far  and  wide,  to  this  day, — ^a  change  which, 
we  trust  in  God,  will  not  cease  to  be  admired  and  honored, 
till  the  dawning  of  the  glory  of  the  latter  day  shall  dim, 
by  its  excess  of  brightness,  all  former  communications  of 
the  light  of  heaven.  As  this  Church  was  emphatically,  and 
perhaps  beyond  almost  any  other  in  this  region,  the  child 
of  that  remarkable  impulse,  it  seems  proper  before  proceed- 
ing to  its  own  particular  history,  to  take  a  hasty  glance  at 
the  general  features  of  the  crisis  at  which  it  originated. 

The  first  Churches  of  New  England  were  established  on 
the  most  strictly  evangelical  foundation.  They  believed 
and  professed  the  great  principles  of  the  protestant  reforma- 
tion, with  remarkable  affection  and  strictness.  Their  cor- 
ner-stone was  the  doctrine  of  justification  by  faith  only, 
good  works  being  the  necessary  fruits  of  faith,  and  thereby 
its  evidence,  but  by  no  means  the  meritorious  cause  of  sal- 
vation. They  believed,  as  fully,  in  the  necessity  of  a 
renovation  of  the  sinner's  heart,  by  which  its  whole  char- 
acter and  tendencies  might  be  changed,  the  dominion  of 
sin  broken,  the  life  of  God  in  the  soul  enkindled,  and  the 
whole  spiritual  man  created  anew  in  God's  likeness.  This 
change,  they  ascribed  wholly  to  the  Divine  spirit,  working 
indeed,  ordinarily,  not  without  means,  but  at  the  same  time 
so  employing  these,  as  to  impart  to  them  no  share  in  the 
glory  of  the  great  result.     True  piety,  in  their  estimation. 


was  a  product  of  regeneration,  and  consisted,  not  in  any 
outward  performances,  nor  even  in  the  most  blameless  out- 
ward morality,  but  in  that  inward  conformity  of  the  heart 
to  God,  that  love  to  him  and  communion  with  him,  of 
which  outward  goodness  is  but  the  necessary  manifestation. 
Under  the  influence  of  these  doctrines,  preached  earnestly 
by  such  men  as  Shepard,  and  Cotton,  and  Norton,  and 
Mitchell,  and  Hooker,  and  Stone,  "  the  word  of  God  grew 
and  multiplied ;"  and  the  preachers,  themselves,  full  of  the 
spirit  of  their  divine  message,  could  rejoice  that  they  seldom 
preached,  without  some  visibly  good  effect  upon  the  hearts 
and  consciences  of  their  hearers,  and  without  finding  some, 
who  had  before  been  careless,  beginning  to  inquire,  "  What 
shall  I  do  to  be  saved  ?" 

But  this  happy  and  very  promising  commencement  was 
not  destined  to  perpetuate  its  influence.  The  spirituality 
of  the  Churches  began  at  an  early  day  visibly  to  decline, 
and  Avhen  the  first  century  closed,  there  was  great  occasion, 
as  the  eye  of  Christian  love  looked  abroad  over  the  land,  to 
exclaim,  "  How  has  the  gold  become  dim  and  the  most 
fine  gold  changed."  First,  there  was  manifested  a  great 
decline  of  spiritual  vitality.  Religion  became  more  a 
matter  of  profession,  and  form,  and  less  an  experience  of 
the  heart.  Then  the  boundaries  between  the  Church  and 
the  world  became  less  distinct.  Multitudes  became  mem- 
bers of  the  Church,  who  gave  no  evidence  that  they  were 
truly  regenerate.  Church  discipline  was  neglected.  Im- 
morality invaded  the  sacred  enclosure.  The  preaching 
became  less  discriminating  and  pungent.  The  doctrines 
of  the  ancient  faith,  long  neglected,  and  reduced  in  the 
minds  of  the  people  to  a  dead  letter,  were  fast  gliding  away 
from  the  popular  creed,  and  were  on  the  eve  of  being 
displaced  for  another  system. 

Such  was  the  condition  of  a  large  portion  of  the  Churches 


8 

of  New  England,  when  the  great  change  to  which  I  have 
alhided  broke  upon  them  in  its  power.  Ah-eady  had  the 
morning  star  shone  forth,  in  the  great  revival  at  Northamp- 
ton, five  years  previous,  under  the  faithful  preaching  of  the 
old  doctrines*  by  the  celebrated  Jonathan  Edwards.  But 
the  whole  horizon  began  now  to  be  illuminated.  The 
whole  land  soon  glowed  beneath  the  brightness  of  the 
risen  sun.  Under  the  preaching  of  such  men  as  Whitefield 
and  Tennent,  men  evidently  raised  up  to  perform  a  special 
Avork,  the  impulse  spread  like  electric  flame.  It  stirred 
to  its  inmost  depths  the  compact  population  of  the  larger 
commercial  towns.  It  penetrated  the  interior  villages. 
Churches  which  had  long  since  "  settled  upon  their  lees" 
now  began  to  feel  within  them  a  strange  fermentation. 
Old  respectability,  proud  of  its  decent  forms,  began  to  find 
the  sceptre  of  its  influence  loosening  in  its  grasp,  and  the 
legitimacy  of  its  long  dominion  boldly  questioned,  by  a 
race,  professing  to  have  been  just  now  turned  from  darkness 
unto  marvellous  light. 

The  eflect  of  this  new  impulse  fell,  as  might  have  been 
expected,  most  heavily  on  the  pastors  of  the  churches. 
Secure  of  their  support  by  the  aid  of  the  civil  law,  pledging 
all  the  real  and  personal  estate,  within  certain  geographical 
limits,  for  the  fulfilment  of  their  pecuniary  contracts ;  and 
ministering  to  a  people,  not  desirous  of  great  pastoral  fidel- 
ity, to  the  disturbance  of  their  slumbering  consciences,  a 
large  part  of  them  had  settled  down  into  a  dull  routine  of 
Sabbath  "day  performances,  and  were  spending  their  week 
day  hours,  when  not  employed  in  the  preparation  of  their 

*It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  special  attention,  that  the  same  doctrine  of 
justification  by  faith  only,  which  in  the  hands  of  Luther  was  the  life  and 
soul  of  the  Protestant  Reformation,  was,  in  the  hands  of  Edwards,  the 
means  of  imparting  the  first  impulse  to  that  great  awakening,  which 
revived  to  new  life  the  decayed  and  slumbering  Churches  of  this  Country. 


hasty  discourses,  in  the  improvement  of  their  parsonage 
lands,  the  indulgence  of  their  literary  tastes,  or  in  friendly 
correspondence  and  social  interoonrse  with  each  other,  and 
with  those  distinguished  men  in  civil  life  who  courted 
their  society  and  respected  their  respectability,  or  sought  to 
avail  themselves,  for  their  own  purposes,  of  their  unbounded 
influence.  Many  of  the  ministers  of  that  day,  it  is  sup- 
posed, were  men  who  had  never  experienced,  in  their  own 
hearts,  the  power  of  the  faith  which  they  professed  to 
teach.  Many  had  become  very  sceptical  in  regard  to  its 
fundamental  doctrines.  And  even  those  who  were  at  heart 
faithful  men,  and  desired  sincerely  the  spiritual  welfare  of 
their  flocks,  infected  to  a  great  extent  with  the  surrounding 
atmosphere,  had  become  over  cautious,  in  regard  to  every 
thing  like  excitement  in  religion,  and,  to  avoid  oflTence, 
dwelt  chiefly  on  those  vague  generalities,  which  at  best 
play  round  the  head  but  come  not  near  the  heart. 

Upon  a  clergy  so  secure  and  slumberous,  the  great 
awakening  burst  forth  like  the  shock  of  an  earthquake. 
Some  aroused  themselves,  like  the  five  wiser  virgins  when 
the  bridegroom  came,  and  made  haste  to  welcome  the 
wonderful  guest.  Some  at  first  acted  the  prudent  part 
of  bending  to  the  storm,  thinking  to  let  it  pass  over  them 
unresisted,  and  blow  by.  Others,  really  friendly  to  what- 
ever was  good  and  genuine  in  the  work  of  grace,  were  yet 
alarmed  by  the  evils  which  attended  it,  and,  perhaps  too 
much  influenced  by  the  opinion  of  some  whom  they  deemed 
wise  and  judicious,  run  well  for  a  little  season  and  then 
were  hindered. 

It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  party  lines  among 
the  pastors  of  the  Churches  became  quite  prominent. 
When  the  famous  Whitefield  first  came  to  Boston,  all  the 
clergy  there,  and  in  the  neighboring  towns,  with  scarce  an 
exception,  welcomed  him  with  open  arms.     A  few  years 


10 

passed,  and  a  r.onsiderahlfi  pnrfy  among  them  had  taken  an 
entirely  different  view  of  his  character  and  influence.  His 
faults  were  magnified,  his  good  depreciated.  Pulpits  were 
shut  against  him.  and  pamphlets  warned  the  public  to 
beware  of  his  fanatical  influence. 

But  it  is  not  easy  to  stop  an  earthquake  when  it  has 
commenced  its  motion,  nor  to  stay  the  progress  of  a  hurri- 
cane by  the  rebuke  of  human  authority.  The  popular 
mind  had  been  roused,  and  the  excitement  could  be  quelled 
only  by  the  voice  of  truth.  Unfortunately  for  those  who 
would  restore  the  calm,  truth  was  mainly  on  the  side  of 
their  opponents.  The  people  saw  that  the  new  doctrines, 
were,  after  all,  only  those  which  the  fathers  of  New  Eng- 
land taught,  which  were  acknowledged  in  the  confessions 
of  faith  of  their  own  Churches,  and  in  which,  in  childhood, 
they  themselves  had  been  instructed  from  the  Assembly's 
Catechism.  They  saw,  too,  that  the  efl^ects  produced  by 
them,  were,  in  the  main,  the  legitimate  results  of  those 
principles.  And  why  then  should  the  respected  pastors  of 
the  churches  wish  to  oppose  the  preaching  of  those  doc- 
trines, and  the  production  of  those  effects  ? 

The  result  was  such  as  might  have  easily  been  antici- 
pated. The  coldness,  which  so  many  Christian  ministers 
exhibited  amidst  the  general  fervor,  led  many  to  doubt  the 
reality  of  their  own  conversion,  and  the  sincerity  of  their 
professed  attachment  to  the  ancient  faith ;  and  what  was 
doubtless  true  of  many,  soon  began  to  be  asserted  boldly 
of  the  whole.  The  cord  that  bound  the  religious  commu- 
nity together  was  now  broken.  The  old  decencies  were 
despised  as  sheer  hypocrisy.  The  influence  of  the  pastors 
was  no  longer  heeded,  because  the  people  had  lost 
confidence  in  their  sincere  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
piety.  Men  of  more  zeal  than  knowledge  now  became,  in 
many  instances,  the  leaders   of  public  opinion,  and  in  the 


11 

anarchy  which  must  necessarily  have  ensued,  all  sorts  of 
wild  fire,  mingling  with  the  flame  of  newly  kindled  piety^ 
burned  unchecked  till  it  became  uncontrollable.* 

Far  be  it  from  me  to  approve  the  disorders  and  irregular- 
ities which  attended  that  wonderful  excitement.  There  was 
unquestionably  much  everywhere  which  the  serious  Christ- 
ian must  and  ought  to  deplore.  But  what  is  the  chaff"  to 
the  wheat  ?  The  legitimate  leaders  in  the  sacramental 
host  of  God's  elect  had  declined  their  trust.  The  battle 
was  for  the  inheritance,  transmitted  from  the  worthiest  of 
fathers, — the  inheritance  of  puritan  faith,  dearest  of  all 
others  to  the  genuine  New  Englander.  It  was  not  so 
much  a  revolution,  as   a  restoration,  that  they  were  now 

*  The  evils  likely  to  result  from  the  encouragement  of  ignorant  laymen 
and  youth  destitute  of  all  proper  experience,  to  usurp  the  functions  of  the 
Christian  ministry,  were  early  foreseen  and  predicted  by  some  of  the  most 
eminent  promoters  of  the  revival.  But  they  had  greater  evils  of  an  oppo- 
site character  to  contend  with,  and  this  fact  neutralized,  in  a  great  degree, 
the  influence  of  their  admonitions.  It  is  well  known  to  all  who  are  famil- 
iar with  tliose  times,  that  a  prominent  subject  of  controversy  was  the 
necessity  of  an  educated  ministry.  The  revival  party  insisted  tliat  grace 
in  the  heart  is  of  more  importance  than  learning  in  the  head ;  and  their 
opposers,  on  the  other  hand,  so  magnified  the  importance  of  human  learn- 
ing, as  to  cast  into  the  shade  that  of  personal  piety.  Both  were  partly 
right  and  partly  wrong.  It  must  be  said,  however,  in  favor  of  those  who 
seemed  to  despise  education  in  their  zeal  for  personal  religion,  that,  of  the 
two,  they  were  contending  for  by  far  the  more  important  point.  It  was 
the  point  likewise  which,  for  a  considerable  time  previous,  had  been  most 
neglected.  Had  all  the  educated  ministers  of  the  community  possessed 
the  spirit  of  Colman,  and  Edwards,  and  Sewall,  and  Prince,  no  outcry 
would  have  been  made,  we  may  be  sure,  against  human  learning  in  the 
ministry — certainly  no  disposition  would  have  been  manifested  to  under- 
value it,  as  an  important  collateral  qualification.  But  the  great  dearth  of 
such  men  at  that  important  crisis,  and  on  the  other  hand  the  violent 
opposition  which  the  revival  encountered  from  some,  eminent  for  their 
intellectual  attainments,  produced,  in  many  hasty  minds,  the  impression, 
that  great  learning  is  unfavorable  to  ardent  piety.  Hence  their  confidence 
was  transferred  to  another  class,  and  the  unskilfulness  of  their  guides  often 
led  them  lamentably  astray. 


12 

to  contend  for,  not  a  conquest,  but  a  recovery,  of  what  had 
been  insidiously  stolen  away,  in  an  hour  of  forgetfuhiess. 
And  shoLild  the  people  hesitate  ?  In  the  absence  of  their 
regular  leaders,  they  must  lead  themselves.  In  all  their 
ignorance,  they  must  march  on,  with  such  a  degree  of 
regularity  as  mere  soldiers  of  the  rank  and  file  were  able  to 
secure.  Who  can  wonder  that  there  was  little  discipline 
among  them  ?  Who  can  wonder  that  the  lawless  mingled 
in  their  ranks,  and  obtained  at  times  a  temporary  ascend- 
ancy ?  Who  can  wonder  that  the  best  disposed  among 
them  were  chargeable  with  many  things,  which  their 
posterity  must  censure,  and  which  they  themselves,  when 
they  had  time  for  calm  review,  had  occasion  to  deplore  ? 

The  prevailing  spirit  of  that  movement,  was,  we  may 
not  doubt,  that  of  living  Christianity.  There  was,  truly, 
as  those  engaged  in  it  believed,  a  glorious  work  of  divine 
grace  upon  the  hearts  of  individuals,  and  a  glorious  refor> 
mation  accomplished  in  the  Church  at  large.  Great  princi- 
ples, long  withdrawn  from  notice,  and  almost  sunk  into 
oblivion,  were  restored  to  their  ancient  supremacy.  The 
faith,  practice  and  experience  of  the  puritans  was  re- 
vived. Religion  flourished  again.  And  as  for  the 
disorders,  which  unhappily  attended  its  resuscitation,  these 
were  soon  made  to  disappear  before  the  power  of  intelligent 
and  sober  piety. 

In  the  general  excitement,  the  people  of  Newbury,  it 
appears,  largely  participated.  How  far  the  Churches  here, 
with  their  pastors,  had  become  infected  with  the  prevailing 
degeneracy,  it  may  not  be  easy  at  the  present  day  exactly 
to  determine.  Within  the  bounds  of  what  is  now  included 
in  the  towns  of  Newbury  and  Newbury  port,  there  were 
then  existing  two  Congregational  parishes,  called  the  first 
and  third  parishes  in  Newbury  ;  now  the  first  in  Newbury 
and  the  first  in  Newburyport. 


13 

The  pastor  of  the  first  Church  in  Newbury  was  then 
advanced  in  life,  and  of  a  peculiar  temperament.  He  set 
his  face,  from  the  beginning,  sternly  against  the  new 
movement.  The  promoters  of  it,  he  did  not  hesitate  to 
address  by  the  opprobrious  epithet  of  "  Schemers,"  and 
*'  New  Schemers,"  which  their  adversaries  had  applied  to 
them.  He  told  them  to  their  face,  that  he  presumed,  they 
had  been  inventing  falsehoods  against  him,  for  said  he,  "  I 
never  yet  knew  a  schemer  that  would  not  lie."  The  name 
of  "  new  light  men,"  sometimes  given  them,  he  admitted 
might  be  applicable,  for  he  continued,  "  Satan  being  now 
especially  transformed  into  an  angel  of  light,  hath  trans- 
formed his  followers  into  his  likeness,  in  regard  of  the  new 
light  they  pretend  unto."  He  even  suffered  himself,  it  is 
said,  on  one  occasion,  to  become  so  excited,  as  to  arm 
himself  with  a  whip,  under  his  cloak,  when  he  went  into 
the  house  of  God,  to  scourge  out  the  enthusiasts,  as  he  called 
them,  from  the  sacred  precincts.* 

The  other  Church  had  been  gathered  only  about  fifteen 
years,  when  the  work  began,  and  was  supplied  with  a 
pastor,  learned,  mild,  serious,  and  evidently  disposed  to  be 
faithful,  beyond  the  ordinary  practice  of  his  day,  in  the 
promotion  of  serious  piety.  A  single  note,  inserted  in  the 
Church  records,  may  serve  to  illustrate  his  spirit.  After 
recording  a  vote  of  the  Church,  the  design  of  which  was  to 
adopt  measures  for  the  advancement  of  their  own  piety  and 
religious  influence,  he  gives  vent  to  his  own  feelings  in  the 
following  devout  ejaculation  :  "  God  grant  success  to  us  in 
this  affair,  and  by  his  holy  spirit  lift  up  a  standard  against 

*  It  seems  proper,  to  observe  here,  that  the  Rev.  Christopher  Toppan, 
above  referred  to,  was  supposed  to  be  laboring,  at  times,  under  a  partial 
derangement  of  intellect.  The  peculiar  turn,  however,  which  his  insanity 
seems  to  have  taken,  in  the  above  instances,  is  significant  of  the  state  of 
the  times,  and  of  the  difficulties  under  which  those  who  afterwards  separ- 
ated from  his  Church  were  compelled  to  labor. 

2 


14 

vice  and  profaneness,  and  revive  dying  religion  among  us."* 
At  what  precise  time  the  new  impulse  commmiicated 
itself  to  the  people  here,  and  by  what  means,  I  am  not  able 
to  state  confidently.  Before  the  arrival,  however,  of  the 
first  itinerant  preachei  in  this  place,  the  records  of  the  third 
Church,  now  the  first  in  Newburyport,  give  evidence  of  an 
unusual  interest  in  religious  matters,  in  the  admission  to  its 
communion  in  one  year,  of  forty-four  persons,  a  greater 
number,  as  the  pastor  himself  then  supposed,  than  was 
ever  known  to  have  been  received  in  any  Church  in  the 
province,  in  the  same  space  of  time.f 

In  the  autumn  of  the  year  seventeen  hundred  and  forty, 
George  Whitefield  made  his  first  visit  to  New  England.  He 
arrived  in  Boston  on  Thursday  evening,  September  the 
eighteenth,  at  eight  o'clock,  and  remained  there,  preaching 
in  the  various  Churches,  about  ten  days,  when  he  set  out 
on  aji  excursion  to  the  Eastward.  He  reached  Newbury 
in  the  afternoon  of  September  the  thirtieth,!  and  preached 
once  in  the  house  of  worship  belonging  to  the  third  parish, 

*  The  measures  above  alluded  to,  were  the  annual  appointment  of  seven 
brethren  of  the  Church,  to  be  "joined  with  the  pastor  and  the  honored 
justices  belonging  to  it,"  to  meet  once  a  month  and  "  consider  what  might 
be  done  for  the  good  of  the  town  in  general,  and  the  Churches  in  it,"  or,  as 
the  object  is  expressed  in  another  place,  "  to  consider  what  may  Ibe  done  to 
revive  dying  religion  among  us,  suppress  vice,  and  promote  the  peace  ar)d 
welfare  of  the  Church."  At  the  same  meeting,  the  Church  voted  to  meet 
once  a  quarter  "and  renew  their  covenant  with  God  and  one  another." 

t  This  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Lowell,  himself,  in  a  letter  to  the 
aggrieved,  now  on  file  in  the  State  House.  But  the  Church  records  show 
that,  during  the  year  immediately  succeeding  the  great  earthquake  in 
1727,  which  excited  so  much  terror  every  where  in  this  region,  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-one  persons  were  admitted  to  the  same  Church. 

i  Coffin  states,  in  his  history  of  Newbury,  on  the  authority  of  Mr. 
Williams'  historical  sermon,  that  Whitefield  first  came  to  this  town  Sep- 
tember 10th.  This  is  a  mistake.  He  had  not  then  reached  Boston  on 
his  way  from  the  South. 


15 

the  Rev.  Mr.  Lowell's,  then  situated  on  what  is  now  called 
Market  Square.  His  own  notice  of  the  event  is  as  follows: 
"  The  Lord  accompanied  the  word  with  power.  The 
meeting-house  was  very  large,  many  ministers  were  pres- 
ent, and  the  people  were  greatly  affected.  Blessed  be  God, 
His  divine  power  attends  us  more  and  more."  Whitc'field 
proceeded  on  his  journey  as  far  as  York,  Maine ;  and 
returning,  preached  at  Newbury  again,  on  Saturday,  Octo- 
ber the  fourth ;  when  a  collection  amounting  to  eighty 
pounds  and  nine  shillings,  was  taken  up  in  behalf  of  the 
orphan  house  which  he  was  then  establishing  in  Georgia. 
In  the  course  of  the  next  winter,  the  hardly  less  famous 
Gilbert  Tennent  paid  a  visit  to  Newbury.  On  the  seventh 
of  January,  as  appears  from  a  note  by  Mr.  Lowell  in  the 
records  of  the  third  Church,  he  preached  once  in  private, 
and  on  the  next  day  once  in  public.  A  week  later, 
namely,  on  the  sixteenth  of  the  same  month,  he  was  here 
again,  and  preached  in  public  three  times. 

During  this  period,  and  for  a  considerable  space  of  time 
afterwards,  Mr.  Lowell  appears  to  have  been  regarded  as  a 
friend  to  the  new  movement.  He  made  no  opposition  to 
it.  He  admitted  freely  to  his  pulpit,  or  allowed  the  people 
who  desired  it,  to  admit  such  itinerant  and  neighboring 
ministers  as  were  considered  specially  active  in  the  promo- 
tion of  it.  He  became  more  zealous  than  usual  in  his  own 
pastoral  duties,  and  for  a  time  maintained  two  weekly 
lectures,  in  addition  to  his  other  exertions.  The  result  was 
that,  during  the  space  of  one  year  and  six  months  from  the 
preaching  of  Whitefield  in  this  place,  one  hundred  and 
forty-three  persons  were  added  to  his  Church,  and  of  these, 
fifty-nine  were  admitted  on  one  particular  occasion,  and 
twenty-seven  on  another,  both  within  the  space  of  one 
month.  The  Church  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Lowell  became 
indeed  the  resort  of  some,  from  the  other  parish,  who  were 


16 

disaffected  towards  their   own  pastor,  on  account  of  his 
opposition  to  the  work. 

Up  to  to  this  time,  namely,  the  last  of  March,  seventeen 
hundred  forty-two,  we  find  no  evidence  of  a  disposition 
among  the  friends  of  the  revival  to  establish  separate 
worship.  But  the  causes  of  dissatisfaction  were  at  work. 
During  the  course  of  the  very  next  month,  signs  of  misun- 
derstanding begin  to  appear,  between  them  and  the  Rev. 
Mr,  Lowell.  The  Messrs.  Rogers,  of  Ipswich,  were  among 
its  most  ardent  supporters,  and  being  men  of  high  standing 
in  the  ministry,  had  probably  found  a  welcome  reception 
here,  as  well  as  others  of  a  similar  stamp.  Near  the  close 
of  April,  Mr.  Buel,*  a  young  preacher  who  had  been 
laboring  Avith  much  success  at  Northampton,  under  the 
eye  and  with  the  approbation  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  came 
to  Ipswich,  and,  in  company  with  Rev.  Nathaniel  Rogers, 
and  his  brother,  Daniel  Rogers,  then  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry,  visited  Newbury.  Mr.  Lowell  was  absent,  and 
some  of  his  parishioners,  desirous  of  hearing  these  gen- 
tlemen preach,  took  the  responsibility  of  introducing 
them  into  the  meeting-house  for  that  purpose.  Great 
excitement  was  produced  by  this  act,  and    great   offence 

*  Mr.  Buel  was  a  classmate  of  Rev.  Samuel  Hopkins,  and  a  graduate  of 
Tale  College  at  the  commencement  in  the  preceding  September.  As  was 
not  uncommon  at  that  day,  he  commenced  preaching  verj  soon  after  he 
left  College,  and  in  the  latter  part  of  the  following  winter  was  employed 
to  preach  at  Northampton,  in  the  absence  of  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards. 
Edwards  himself  thus  speaks  of  him  in  a  letter  to  a  clergyman  in  Boston  : 
"  About  the  beginning  of  February,  1742,  Mr.  Buel  came  to  this  town.  I 
was  then  absent  from  home,  and  continued  so  till  about  a  fortnight  after. 
Mr.  Buel  preached  from  day  to  day,  almost  every  day,  in  the  meeting- 
house. I  had  left  him  the  free  use  of  my  pulpit,  having  heard  of  his 
designed  visit  before  I  left  home.  There  were  very  extraordinary  effects 
of  Mr.  Bud's  labors,"  &c.  Hopkins,  who  was  then  residing  in  the  family 
of  Edwards,  speaks  of  him  as  "a  zealous  preacher  of  the  Gospel,  and  the 
means  of  greatly  reviving  the  people  to  zeal  in  religion." 


17 

taken,  in  which  the  pastor  himself  seems  to  have  partici- 
pated. Shortly  after,  a  communication  was  inserted  in  a 
Boston  paper,  representing  the  transaction  in  a  very 
reproachful  light ;  as  if  Mr.  Rogers  and  his  associates,  had 
formed  a  party,  and  taken  violent  possession  of  the  meet- 
ing-house, in  the  pastor's  absence.  This  the  friends  of 
those  gentlemen  denied.  The  pastor,  with  his  own 
signature,  confirmed  the  statement.  The  result  of  the 
misunderstanding  was,  that  the  next  day  Mr.  Rogers 
preached  in  the  town-house,  being  now  excluded,  as  it 
appears,  from  both  the  meeting-houses,  and  a  numerous 
audience  there  attended  on  his  preaching. 

What  direct  influence  this  event  may  have  had  on  the 
succeeding  movements  does  not  now  appear.  One  fact  is 
evident,  however ;  that  the  pastor  had,  by  this  time,  seen 
occasion  to  change  his  views  of  the  propriety  of  the  mea- 
sm*es  in  operation.  He  had  complied  with  the  wishes  of 
those  who  were  attached  to  them,  till  the  matter  seemed, 
in  his  judgment,  to  be  going  too  far.  Evening  meetings, 
which  he  had  before  allowed,  he  now  began  to  regard  as 
of  a  dangerous  tendency,  and  therefore  stopped  .them. 
Itinerant  preachers,  he  had  permitted  those  of  the  people 
who  desired  to  hear  them,  to  introduce  into  his  pulpit  ; 
until,  to  use  his  own  words,  "  it  was  plain  that  any  itiner- 
ant, of  whatever  character  for  capacity  and  conduct,  was 
preferred,"  then  he  excluded  them.  Meanwhile,  the  views 
of  that  portion  of  his  people  were  not  changed.  Hence 
they  became  discontented.  The  transaction  just  related, 
it  seems  probable,  was  the  means  of  bringing  matters  to  a 
crisis.  Shortly  after,  we  find  that  measures  were  in 
operation  for  the  erection  of  a  new  place  of  worship.  The 
building  stood  upon  the  North-east  side  of  High  Street, 
between  Federal  and  Lime,  and  was  probably  completed 
before  the  middle  of  February  in  the  following  winter. 
2* 


18 

Meanwhile,  a  young  man  from  the  neighboring  parish  of 
Byfield,  Joseph  Adams,  a  graduate  of  the  same  year  at 
Harvard  University,  and  a  very  recent  convert,  began  to 
exhort  and  hold  meetings  in  this  vicinity.  He  was  a  man 
of  great  fervor  and  zeal,  and  having  entered  upon  the  work 
he  had  undertaken  with  all  the  earnestness  of  sincerity, 
and  the  freshness  of  youthful  devotion,  he  charmed  and 
melted  by  his  preaching  the  hearts  of  multitudes,  who 
regarded  him,  in  the  language  of  one  of  his  adversaries, 
as  "some  great  one,  the  mighty  power  of  God."  The 
imprudent  zeal  of  the  young  preacher  led  him  to  commit 
some  indiscretions.  He  fixed  his  eye  upon  the  pastor  of  a 
neighboring  Church, — a  man  whom  he  appears  to  have 
regarded  as  peculiarly  deficient  in  ministerial  qualifications, 
— and  with  the  view  of  dealing  faithfully  with  his  soul, 
addressed  a  letter  to  him,  full  of  severe  reproof,  plainly 
intimating  that  he  had  never  been  converted,  calling  him 
"an  opposer  of  this  blessed  reformation,"  and  ending  with 
the  hope,  that  "  God  would  either  convert  him  or  turn  him 
out  of  the  ministry,"  and  the  prayer,  "  O  that  God  would 
bless  this  letter  to  your  conviction."  This  letter,  which 
appears  to  have  been  intended  as  a  private  one,  the  receiver 
immediately  published,  together  with  a  long  answer,  in 
which  the  "arrogant  young  man"  is  chastised  with  no 
little  severity.  Notwithstanding  this,  however,  the  confi- 
dence of  the  friends  of  the  young  preacher  appears  to  have 
remained  unabated,  and  when  the  new  meeting-house  was 
completed,  which  was  about  the  beginning  of  the  year 
seventeen  hundred  and  forty-three,  Mr.  Adams  was  em- 
ployed as  the  stated  preacher. 

A  large  number  from  each  of  the  two  parishes  now 
witlidrew  from  their  former  places  of  worship,  and  attended 
on  Mr.  Adams'  ministrations.  He  continued  to  officiate 
for  this  collection  of  "separatists,"  as  they  now  began  to 

♦ 


19 

be  called,  with  more  or  less  constancy,  more  than  two 
years,  until  a  Church  was  formed,  as  we  shall  presently 
have  occasion  to  notice.* 

It  seems  proper,  that  we  should  pause  here,  and  inquire 
for  what  reasojis  the  separation  just  referred  to  was  made. 
Fortunately  we  have  the  parties'  own  statements,  which 
will  furnish  the  best  exposition  of  their  views. 

The  separatists  from  the  first  Church,  of  whom,  there 
were,  in  the  first  instance,  about  thirty  male  members, 
complained  of  their  pastor,  the  Rev.  Christopher  Toppan, 
that  he  had  departed  from  the  ancient  faith  in  several 
important  particulars,  and  especially,  that  he  had  strenu- 
ously opposed  himself,  to  what  they  regarded  as  "  the 
glorious  work  of  God  in  convincing  and  converting  great 
numbers  in  our  land,  of  late,  and  especially  among  us,"  and 
had  called  it  "  all  a  delusion  of  Satan." 

The  separatists  from  the  third  Church,  thirty-eight  male 
members  with  their  families,  expressly  disavowed  the  design 
of  fixing  upon  their  pastor,  the  Rev.  John  Lowell,  the 
charge  "  of  false  doctrine,  or  what  is  generally  called  an 
immoral  life."  They  admit  that  his  preaching  Avas  not 
displeasing  to  them,  "  in  a  time  of  great  deadness  in  reli- 
gion, a  time  when  (as  we  think)"  say  they,  "both  the  wise 
and  foolish  virgins  were  slumbering  and  sleeping."  But 
since  the  great  work  of  divine  grace  had  commenced  among 
them,  many,  especially  of  those  who  had  shared  in  it,  had 

*  Mr.  Adams  was  afterwards  settled  in  Stratham,  N.  il.,  where  he  died 
at  an  advanced  age,  leaving  behind  him,  as  a  friend  informs  me,  the  repu- 
tation of  a  "  remarkably  good  man."  The  evidence  that  he  remained  here 
as  long  as  above  stated,  is  to  be  found  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  Parsons,  then 
at  Lyme,  addressed  to  Charles  Pierce,  Esq.,  and  Dr.  Sawyer.  He  says,  in 
the  postscript,  "  I  hope  you  will  treat  dear  Mr.  Adams,  your  present 
preacher,  with  respect  and  confidence.  He  is  a  man  whom  I  love  in  the 
Lord,  and  I  believe  he  has  been  very  serviceable  to  the  cause  of  Christ 
among  you."     This  letter  is  dated  April  18,  1745. 


20 

become  dissatisfied.  They  complain  that  he  had  of  late 
shown  himself  "  cold  and  strange"  towards  the  promoters 
of  the  late  happy  "reformation  in  the  land," — "at  this  day 
as  you  are  pleased  to  express  it  (to  our  sorrow)  only  of 
'temptation.'  But  we  think,  in  honor  to  the  Holy  Spirit, 
it  deserves  to  be  called  a  day  of  illumination  as  well  as 
temptation."  Meanwhile,  they  complain,  your  own  preach- 
ing was  "  not  so  suitable  to  our  experience  as  we  wished 
and  longed  for."  His  discourses  seemed  to  them  not 
sufficiently  explicit  and  frequent,  on  the  subject  of  man's 
native  depravity,  and  mability,"  "the  way  of  salvation  by 
the  merits  of  Christ,"  "  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,"  and 
"  the  bringing  the  sinner  off  from  his  own  righteousness, 
to  rely  entirely  on  Christ's  righteousness."  They  wished 
the  terrors  of  the  law  to  be  set  forth  in  a  more  lively 
manner,  and  the  sermons  to  be  "pressed  home  and  pun- 
gent," and  the  preacher  himself  to  be  "more  zealous, 
constant,  and  fervent,  in  this  weighty  cause  of  gaining 
souls  to  the  kingdom  of  God."  They  do  not  complain, 
indeed,  that  they  have  had  nothing  of  this  class  of  instruc- 
tions, but  they  think  they  have  had  far  too  little  of  it, 
"especially  considering  the  present  day."  "And  then," 
they  continue,  "  when  you  were  upon  such  subjects  as 
fairly  led  you  to  speak  close,  and  clear,  and  distinct,  to  our 
case,  you  seemed  to  us  to  glance  over  or  but  hint  at  them, 
in  such  generals,  as  did  not  reach  our  case."  "  And  then 
the  improvement,  which  we  consider  the  life  and  soul  of  a 
sermon,  seemed  to  us  to  go  all  over,  without  touching  us." 
Could  they  have  had  such  preaching,  as  in  their  view  was 
essential  to  their  spiritual  welfare,  in  season  and  out  of 
season,  either  by  the  pastor  himself,  or  by  his  heartily 
admitting  and  forAvarding  the  efforts  of  such  other  Orthodox 
ministers  as  would  preach  in  that  manner,  accompanied  by 
corresponding  pastoral  efforts  on  his  part,  they  would  never 


21 

have  thought,  they  say,  of  separating  from  him.  The 
want  of  these,  and  the  like  privileges,  led  them  to  with- 
draw. 

The  irregularity  of  the  proceedings  of  these  "aggrieved 
brethren,"  in  withdrawing  from  public  worship  and  ordi- 
nances in  their  own  Churches,  and  establishing  for 
themselves  separate  worship,  without  first  obtaining  a 
regular  dismission,  demands,  in  justice  to  them,  an  attentive 
and  discriminating  consideration.  They  had  had,  as  they 
affirm,  repeated  conferences  with  their  pastors  on  the  sub- 
ject, until  one  of  these  •'  declared  he  would  talk  no  more 
with  them,"  and  the  other,  though  often  appraised  of  their 
desire  to  withdraw,  and  their  wish  for  a  Church  meeting 
in  the  case,  had  sufficiently  indicated  his  unwillingness  to 
do  anything  to  forward  their  wishes.  Indeed  the  policy 
of  the  pastors ;  at  that  period,  seems  to  have  been,  to  call 
no  Church  meetings,  and  have  no  Church  action  on  the 
subject  of  existing  difficulties.  One  of  them  states  explic- 
itly, that  he  should  have  called  such  a  meeting,  were  it  not 
that  he  "had  abundant  reason  to  fear,  the  heats  and 
annimosities  among  us  might  prevent  our  acting,  at  the 
meeting  of  the  Church,  with  wisdom  and  for  the  honor  of 
Christ."  Of  course,  the  power  of  calling  Church  meetings 
being  then  considered  as  lodged  exclusively  in  the  hands 
of  the  pastors,  it  was  impossible  for  the  aggrieved  brethren, 
in  existing  circumstances,  to  obtain  a  regular  hearing. 

As  to  building  the  meeting-house,  and  commencing 
public  worship  in  it  before  asking  a  formal  leave  so  to  do  ; 
which  was  sometimes  alleged  as  an  irregularity ;  they 
supposed  they  had  the  best  of  precedents  in  their  favor. 
The  house  in  which  Mr.  Lowell  officiated,  had  been  built, 
it  seems,  without  any  such  leave  given  by  the  first  Church 
and  parish,  and  the  persons  afterwards  organized  as  the 
third  Church,  had    not   been  dismissed  for  that  purpose, 


22 

until  a  considerable  time  after  the  house  was  buih,  and 
there  was  stated  preaching  in  it.  .  And  yet  no  offence  had 
been  taken, — none  regarded  it  as  an  irregularity. 

It  is  plain  however,  that  the  aggrieved  earnestly  desired, 
and  were  determined  to  secure,  if  possible,  some  distinct 
action  of  their  own  Churches  on  the  case  in  hand.  When 
they  separated,  it  was  evidently  with  the  earnest  hope,  that, 
by  a  decisive  stroke,  the  Churches  would  be  brought  to  a 
direct  and  regular  cognizance  of  their  affairs. 

But  the  pastor  of  the  third  Church,  though  for  the  sake 
of  peace,  he  would  call  no  regular  meeting,  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  unmindful  of  the  exigencies  of  that  trying 
crisis.  On  the  first  day  of  May,  say  the  Church  records, 
"■  after  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  supper,  just  before 
the  blessing  was  pronounced,  the  pastor  read  to  the  Church 
what  follows  :  "  Brethren,  you  are  all  sensible  of  the  great 
schism  that  has  been  made  in  this  Church,  and  that  a 
considerable  number  of  persons,  under  the  watch  and  care 
of  this  Church,  have  withdrawn  from  our  communion  in 
the  word  and  ordinances,  in  breach  of  their  solemn  vows 
and  covenant  engagements  ;  and  I  think  it  my  duty,  as  your 
pastor,  to  move  to  you  that  we  keep  a  day  of  fasting  and 
prayer  upon  this  sad  occasion,  and  seek  God's  special 
direction  for  the  healing  of  our  divisions."  The  day  was 
agreed  upon  and  observed  accordingly.  "  The  same  day," 
records  the  pastor,  somewhat  mournfully,  ''the  separatists 
held  a  public  assembly  in  Mr.  John  Brown's  barn,  in  Mr. 
Toppan's  parish,  at  which  deacon  Beck,"  one  of  his  own 
deacons,  "was  present." 

The  aggrieved  brethren,  now  perceiving  no  probability 
that  the  Church  intended  to  take  any  steps  towards  a 
regular  hearing  of  their  case,  by  calling  them  to  an  account 
for  their  withdrawing,  began  themselves  to  move,  by  a 
formal  application,  for  a  Church  meeting. 


23 

On  the  thirty-first  day  of  October,  those  belonging  to 
the  third  Chnrch  addressed  their  pastor,  in  the  foUowing 
communication  :  "  We,  the  subscribers,  brethren  of  the 
third  Church  in  Newbury,  beg  your  compliance  with  this 
our  desire  in  calling  a  Church  meeting,  that  we  might  lay 
before  them  the  reasons  of  our  withdraw,  and  also  our 
desire  of  a  dismission  from  your  particular  Church,  in 
order  to  be  gathered  into  a  Congregational  Church  agree- 
able to  the  word  of  God."  This  was  signed  by  the  names 
of  thirty-two  male  members  of  the  Church.  The  pastor 
replied,  expressing  his  regret,  that  "  in  this  day  of  tempta- 
tion," they  had  been  so  unmindful  of  their  covenant  vows 
as  to  have  separated  from  the  communion  of  the  Church. 
He  declines  calling  the  Church  meeting,  until  they  are 
more  explicit  in  stating  their  grievances ;  for,  says  he, 
"  they  may  be  such,  for  aught  I  know,  as  to  contain  some 
charges  against  me  (though  I  fear  none)  or  some  other 
particular  person," — in  which  event  he  would  have  them 
pursue  private  measures, — "  or  they  may  be  such  as  I 
ought  not,  as  pastor,  to  lead  the  Church  to  consider  of," 

The  aggrieved  next  addressed  a  communication  to  the 
pastor  and  Church  jointly.  It  commences  with  the 
following  frank  and  honorable  confession :  "  We,  the 
subscribers,  having  withdrawn  from  communion  with  this 
Church,  are  convinced,  that  in  not  laying  before  you  the 
reasons  of  our  withdrawing  before  we  actually  did  with- 
draw, we  have  erred,  we  heartily  acknowledge  it,  and  ask 
your  forgiveness  therefor."  They  then  proceed  to  state, 
generally,  that  they  are  not  edified  by  the  pastor's  minis- 
trations, and  again  they  earnestly  desire  to  be  dismissed, 
peaceably  and  amicably,  to  be  formed  into  a  Congregational 
Church.  To  prevent  mistakes,  about  their  views  of  reli- 
gious truth,  they  take  care  to  add:  "  To  your  satisfaction, 
we  think,  we  can  heartily  and  unreservedly  subscribe  and 


24 

concur  with  the  well  known  body  of  Divinity  among  you 
called  the  Assembly's  Catechism." 

Instead  of  laying  this  communication  before  the  Church, 
according  to  its  obvious  intent,  the  pastor  proceeded  to 
answer  it.  His  reply  is  (in  some  parts  of  it)  a  little 
pungent.  "Whether  my  preaching,"  he  says,  "be  as 
much  for  your  soul's  benefit  and  spiritual  edification  as 
that  of  others,  and  particularly  Mr.  Adams's,  whom  you 
generally  hear,  would  be  somewhat  odd  for  me  to  deter- 
mine." He  still  hopes,  however,  that  he  can  satisfy  them, 
if  they  Avill  give  him  a  more  full  and  explicit  account  of 
their  grievances,  intimates  that  the  Church  will  not  be 
willing  to  dismiss  them,  while  they  are  not  in  charity  with 
the  pastor,  and  have  not  given  him  the  reasons,  and  finally 
proposes  to  have  another  day  of  fasting  and  prayer  in 
reference  to  the  matter. 

The  aggrieved  brethren  now  took  their  turn  to  be  severe. 
"  As  to  breach  of  vows,"  they  say,  "and  all  that  respects 
that  on  our  part,  we  think  we  have  sufficiently  acknowl- 
edged, and  asked  your  forgiveness  therefor."  They  retort 
the  charge.  The  Church  is  bound,  they  say,  to  call 
offenders  to  an  account.  And  if  they  were  regarded  as 
ofienders,  it  was  a  breach  of  covenant  vows  to  neglect  to 
take  cognizance  of  their  case.  They  repeat  their  request 
for  a  Church  meeting.  They  see  no  probability  of  remov- 
ing the  difficulties  by  private  conference,  for  they  have 
repeatedly  waited  upon  the  pastor,  both  as  committees  and 
as  private  persons,  and  without  success.  They  complain, 
that  they  have  been  ill-treated  in  the  matter.  They  think 
they  shall  not  make  many  more  attempts  of  a  like  nature, 
unless  they  have  a  better  prospect  of  success.  In  this 
letter,  the  aggrieved  set  forth,  in  detail,  the  reasons  of  their 
dissatisfaction,  and  request  particularly  that  the  whole 
should  be  read  to  the  Church.     The  pastor  replied  in  a 


25 

long  letter,  going  over  the  Avholc  ground  and  intimating, 
that  "  the  Church  will  not  be  likely  to  receive  their  acknowl- 
edgement, while  they  still  refuse  to  hold  communion  with 
them."* 

At  length,  however,  the  Church  met.  The  result  was 
such  as  the  pastor  had  anticipated.  Having  heard  the 
request  of  aggrieved  brethren,  and  their  reasons,  the  Church 
voted,  "  1st,  That  the  separate  brethren  did,  by  their  with- 
draw, so  long  before  they  offered  any  reasons,  give  the 
Church  just  cause  to  be  offended.  2d,  That  the  Church 
had  not  received  satisfaction."  At  an  adjourned  meeting 
it  was  farther  voted, — "  1st,  That  the  separating  brethren 
had  no  right  to  vote  in  the  case  then  pending.  2d,  That 
the  reasons  given  by  the  brethren  withdrawn  from  com- 
munion, were  not  sufficient  to  justify  their  separation,  or 
for  this  Church  to  grant  them  a  dismission.  3d,  That  a 
Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare,  in  the  name  of  the 
Church,  an  admonition  to  the  brethren  of  the  separation. 
4th,  That  if  the  separate  brethren  shall  slight  the  admoni- 
tion, which  shall  be  given  them,  to  return  to  communion, 
this  Church  will,  in  due  time,  proceed  to  such  further 
censure,  as  is  directed   in  the  Gospel."     The  votes  were 

*  The  above  intimation,  unquestionably,  contains  the  real  reason  why 
the  truly  manly  and  Christian  confession  of  the  aggrieved  brethren  was 
not  received  as  an  ample  reparation  of  all  past  irregularities.  The  true 
head  and  front  of  their  offending,  was  their  determination  not  to  return  to 
the  Church  and  parish.  The  acknowledgement  was  never  made  a  matter 
of  Church  record.  The  legal  disabilities  under  which  that  society  after- 
wards suffered,  requiring  them  to  lay  before  the  Legislature  of  the 
Commonwealth  the  original  documents  of  their  early  transactions,  was, 
in  the  providence  of  God,  the  only  means  of  preserving  it  from  oblivion. 
Many  years  afterwards,  however,  when  the  heat  of  party  feeling  had 
subsided,  this  very  confession,  retained  in  the  memory  only  of  certain  of 
the  members,  was  accepted  by  the  Church  as  a  sufficient  ground  on  which 
to  receive  back  into  its  fellowship  one  of  those  who  had  signed  it,  and  was 
now  disposed  to  return  to  his  old  relations. 


26 

passed  by  a  very  small  majority,  sixty-nine  voting  against 
sixty-five,  the  latter,  however,  including  the  aggrieved 
themselves.  This  took  place  on  the  14th  of  February, 
1744.  Shortly  afterwards,  the  Committee  having  prepared 
the  admonition,  the  Church  summoned  the  offending 
brethren  to  appear  on  a  given  Lord's  day,  at  the  close  of 
divine  service,  to  receive  it.  As  might  naturally  have  been 
expected  from  men  who  had  conscientiously  maintained 
separate  worship  more  than  two  years,  the  accused  Avere 
not  found  in  attendance  on  the  Lord's  day,  at  the  close 
of  divine  service  in  the  third  parish.  And  the  Church 
not  thinking  it  proper  to  proceed  farther,  at  this  time,  left 
the  whole  matter,  without  any  farther  action,  nearly  two 
years. 

Meanwhile,  the  disaffected  in  the  other  parish  had  not 
remained  idle.  Having  been  repulsed  in  their  attempts  at 
private  conference  with  the  pastor,  with  the  declaration, 
that  he  would  talk  no  more  with  them,  they  proceeded, 
according  to  his  suggestion,  to  prepare  a  written  statement 
of  their  grievances,  among  which,  besides  the  points  already 
mentioned,  is  the  neglect  to  call  the  complainants  them- 
selves to  an  account  for  withdrawing  from  communion 
with  the  Church.*  The  letter,  containing  this  statement, 
was  read  to  the  Church  on  the  Lord's  day,  but  no  action 
was  had  •  on  the  subject.  After  waiting,  between  four 
or  five  weeks,  the  aggrieved  addressed  a  second  letter  to 
the  pastor,  assuring  him  that  the  matters  complained  of 
were   matters  of  great  grief  to  themselves,  and  earnestly 

*Thls  written  statement  being  prepared,  and  not  yet  presented,  a  copy 
of  it  was  demanded  by  the  pastor,  that  he  might  lay  the  charges  contained 
in  it  before  the  Superior  Court,  then  about  to  hold  its  session  at  York 
Perhaps  the  intimation  or  threat  here  given,  may  serve  to  account,  in  part, 
for  the  backwardness  sometimes  manifested  by  the  complainants  to  prepare 
written  statements  of  their  grievances. 


27 

entreating  him  seriously  to  consider  them,  and  give  the 
complainants  reasonable  satisfaction  ;  or  otherwise  to  concur 
with  them,  in  calling  a  council  of  the  Churches,  to  hear 
their  grievances,  that  so  an  end  might  be  put  to  the  unhappy 
controversy.  This  communication  met  the  same  fate  with 
its  predecessor.  Again  the  aggrieved  addressed  the  brethren 
of  the  Churchy  and  entreated  them  to  take  the  matter  into 
serious  consideration.  The  letter  was  read,  as  the  others 
had  been,  on  the  Lord's  day,  together  with  the  pastor's 
answer.  Bat  no  vote  was  taken,  no  meeting  for  business 
appointed,  and  no  copy  of  the  answer  sent  to  the  aggrieved. 
Application  for  a  copy  of  it  was  made,  but  the  request  was 
refused.  The  pastor  also  distinctly  refused  to  call  a 
meeting  of  the  Church.  Once  more,  an  attempt  v/as  made 
to  bring  the  brethren  of  the  Church  together,  for  a  personal 
conference,  but  the  attempt  failed. 

The  aggrieved  now  resorted  to  a  Council.  It  was 
convened  on  the  eighth  day  of  November,  seventeen  hundred 
and  forty-three.  On  the  third  day  of  its  session,  the  pastor, 
with  the  advice  of  some  of  the  principal  members  of  the 
Church,  addressed  a  letter  to  the  moderator,  in  reply  to  a 
communication  from  him,  assuring  him  that  it  had  been, 
and  still  was  his  intention,  as  soon  as  it  might  conveniently 
be  done,  to  call  the  Church  together,  if  the  aggrieved 
desired  it ;  and  that  if  the  matter  could  not  otherwise  be 
settled,  he  was  ready,  with  the  Church,  to  join  with  the 
aggrieved,  in  calling  a  Council,  mutually  chosen,  to  hear 
and  advise  upon  their  difficulties.  Aware  of  the  evils 
attending  all  exparte  decisions  in  ecclesiastical  matters,  the 
Council  advised  the  aggrieved  to  accept  the  overture  of 
their  pastor,  and  if  after  suitable  efforts  they  were  unable 
to  obtain  satisfaction,  then  to  unite  with  him  in  calling  a 
mutual  Council.  And  thereupon  the  first  Council  dis- 
persed. 


28 

After  waiting  a  few  weeks,  and  perceiving  no  movement 
on  the  part  of  the  pastor,  the  aggrieved  again  applied  to 
him,  requesting  the  fulfilment  of  his  promise.  Then  they 
learned,  to  their  surprise,  that,  of  the  mutual  Council  which 
had  been  promised  them,  they  themselves  were  to  choose 
not  a  single  member ;  but  the  Church  must  choose  the 
whole.*  Not  reckoning  at  a  very  high  rate  the  mutuality 
of  a  Council  so  constituted,  the  brethren  made  several 
further  attempts.  The  pastor,  at  one  time,  proposed  to 
leave  the  whole  matter  to  the  Governor  and  Council.  But 
this  the  brethren  did  not  seem  to  think  quite  ecclesiastical. 
Again  he  offered  to  refer  it  to  seven  ministers.  But  this 
reference,  they  perhaps  thought  too  exclusively  clerical. 
Once  more,  he  proposed  a  Council  of  Churches.  But  the 
pastor  was  to  choose  one  third  of  the  members,  the  Church 
one  third,  and  the  aggrieved  the  remainder.  And  as  the 
majority  of  the  Church  was  now  well  understood  to  be  on 
the  pastor's  side,  in  the  matter  in  controversy,  the  aggrieved 
regarded  this  plan  likewise,  as  not  likely  to  produce  an 
impartial  result. 

Wearied  and  disgusted  to  find  themselves  so  repeatedly 
balked,  they  now  resorted  a  second  time  to  an  exparte 
Council.  But  again,  perceiving  some  ground  of  encour- 
agement to  pursue  further  negociations,  they  sent  to  stay 
the  Council  from  assembling  until  further  notice  should 
be  given,     (af)     Failing  in  this,    they    once  more  sum- 

*  As  far  as  I  am  able  to  judge  of  the  facts  by  a  comparison  of  counter 
statements,  I  am  led  to  conclude  that  the  method  proposed  here  was  this  : 
that  the  pastor  and  the  aggrieved  were  to  nominate,  each  one  half  of  the 
Council,  but  the  Church  would  then  be  free  to  aceept  or  reject  the  nomi- 
nations. The  objections  to  this  method  may  be  easily  seen.  The  Church 
was  understood  to  be  a  party  with  the  pastor.  If  they  were  allowed 
to  choose  all  the  members  of  the  Council,  it  would  be  an  easy  matter 
to  exclude  from  it  every  one  of  those  Churches  and  ministers,  (for  they 
were  not  numerous,)  who  were  in  full  sympathy  with  the  aggrieved  in 
their  views. 

t  Tiie  letters  refer  to  the  Appendix. 


29 

moned  the  Council.  It  consisted  of  eight  Churches,  and 
was  convened  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  July,  seventeen 
hundred  and  forty-four.  The  Church  and  pastor  resolved 
not  to  acknowledge  nor  notice  it.  The  complainants  made 
their  own  representations.  The  Council  obtained  a  copy 
of  the  pastor's  answer  to  the  complaints  alleged,  which  has 
already  been  alluded  to,  and  determined  to  give  it  all  due 
consideration.  In  the  result,  the  complaints  were  sus- 
tained, the  pastor  censured,  and  the  complainants  advised, 
in  case  all  proper  efforts  to  obtain  satisfaction  should  fail, 
"  then  to  seek  more  wholesome  food  for  their  souls,  and 
put  themselves  under  the  care  of  a  shepherd,  in  whom 
they  could  with  more  reason  confide." 

The  Church  now  proceeded,  on  their  own  part,  to  sum- 
mon a  Council.  Having  selected  the  members,  they 
proposed,  with  great  appearance  of  fairness,  that  the 
aggrieved  should  select  an  equal  number  to  be  joined  with 
them,  and  make  it  a  mutual  Council.  But  in  this  number 
none  of  those  Churches  which  had  been  before  invited, 
could  be  chosen.  And  as  these  were  nearly  all  the  Churches 
in  the  neighborhood,  in  whom  the  aggrieved  had  confi- 
dence, they  very  prudently  declined  the  proposal. 

Another  exparte  investigation  was  of  course  the  conse- 
quence, and  the  result,  as  might  have  been  expected,  was 
exactly  the  reverse  of  the  other. 

One  further  hope  now  remained  to  the  dissatisfied.  The 
pastor  being  aged  and  infirm,  measures  were  about  to  be 
taken  for  the  settlement  of  another  minister.  But  the 
candidate,  whom  the  parish  preferred,  being  no  nearer  to 
their  own  views,  than  his  predecessor,  they  at  length 
determined  to  avail  themselves  of  the  decision  of  their  own 
Council,  and  formally  withdraw  from  the  Church. 

Accordingly,  on  the  twentieth  day  of  December,  seven- 
teen hundred  and  and  forty-five,  about  four  weeks  after  the 
3* 


30 

ordination  of  the  new  pastor,  they  addressed  a  communi- 
cation to  the  Church,  recapitulating  past  transactions,  and 
conchiding  as  follows : 

"  Wherefore,  Brethren,  on  these  considerations,  for  the 
peace  of  our  consciences,  our  spiritual  edification,  and  the 
honor  and  interest  of  religion,  as  we  think,  we  do  now 
withdraw  communion  from  you,  and  shall  look  upon 
ourselves  as  no  longer  subjected  to  your  watch  and 
discipline,  but  shall,  agreeable  to  the  advice  given  us, 
speedily  as  we  may,  seek  us  a  pastor  who  is  likely  to  feed 
us  with  knowledge  and  understanding,  and  in  whom  we 
can  with  more  reason  confide." 

"  And  now,  brethren,  that  the  God  of  all  light  and  truth 
would  lead  both  you  and  us  into  the  knowledge  of  all 
truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  is  and  shall  be  the  desire  and  prayer 
of  your  Brethren,"  &c.  Signed  by  twenty- three  male 
members  of  the  Church. 

I  have  been  particular  in  detailing  these  transactions, 
because  the  separatists  from  both  the  two  Churches  have 
been  charged  with  a  disorderly  separation.  It  will  be  seen, 
I  think,  from  what  has  been  presented,  that  whatever 
uTcgularity  may  have  attended  their  earlier  movements, 
sufficient  evidence  was  presented,  afterwards,  of  a  disposition 
to  atone  for  past  errors,  and  obtain,  if  possible,  a  regular 
and  orderly  dismission.  Those  belonging  to  the  first 
Church  had  the  decision  of  a  Council  in  their  favor, — an 
exparte  Council  it  is  true,  but  one  which  was  not  resorted 
to,  till  repeated  efforts  for  a  mutual  one  had  been  made  in 
vain.  Those  from  the  third  Church,  perceiving  that  they 
had  acted  hastily  in  the  first  instance,  made  a  frank  and 
cordial  acknowledgement.  And  though  their  urgent 
requests  to  be  dismissed  peaceably,  in  order  to  be  formed 
into  a  new  Church,  had  been  continually  neglected,  they 
still  delayed  taking  the    final    step,  in  hopes  that,   what 


31 

they  looked  upon  as  their  most  sacred  rights,  would  yet  be 
conceded  by  their  brethren.  That  there  was,  by  this  time 
at  least,  a  serious,  settled  and  conscientious  difference  of 
opinion  between  the  two  parties,  demanding  separate 
worship,  few  I  think,  at  this  day,  would  be  disposed  to 
question.  What  the  dissatisfied  brethren,  in  the  first 
Church,  called  "  the  glorious  work  of  God,"  the  pastor  of 
that  Church  felt  compelled  to  denoimce  as  "  a  delusion  of 
Satan."  What  the  brethren  in  the  third  Church  thought  a 
"  day  of  illumination,"  their  pastor  assured  them  he  must  still 
call  "a  day  of  temptation."  In  these  circumstances,  what 
was  to  be  done  ?  Had  there  been  a  regular  mode  of  relief 
open  to  them,  all  must  admit  that  they  ought  to  have 
pursued  it.  But  the  important  doctrine  of  religious  freedom 
was,  at  that  time,  but  poorly  understood  by  the  Congrega- 
tional Churches  in  this  region. 

The  members  thus  withdrawn  from  the  first  Church, 
now  considered  themselves  at  liberty  to  form  other  ecclesi- 
astical connexions.  Accordingly,  on  the  third  day  of 
January,  seventeen  hundred  and  forty-six,  nineteen  of  the 
twenty-three  brethren  who  had  signed  the  declaration  of 
separation,  were  embodied  into  a  Church,  by  affixing  their 
names  to  the  following  mutual  covenant : 

"We,  the  subscribers,  who  Avere  members  of  the  first 
Church  in  Newbury,  and  have  thought  it  our  duty  to 
withdraw  therefrom,  do  also  look  upon  it  as  our  duty  to 
enter  into  a  Church  estate,  especially  as  we  apprehend  this 
may  be  for  the  glory  of  God,  and  the  interests  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  our  own  mutual  edification 
and  comfort.  We  do,  therefore,  as  we  trust,  in  the  fear  of 
God,  mutually  covenant  and  agree  to  walk  together  as  a 
Church  of  Christ,  according  to  the  rules  and  order  of -the 
Gospel.  In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our 
hands  this  third  day  of  January,  Anno  Domino,  seventeen 
hundred  and  forty-six." 


32 

Such,  my  brethren,  was  the  origin  of  this  Church. 
Such  the  motives  which  led  to  its  formation,  and  such  the 
circumstances  under  which  it  was  estabhshed.  There  had 
been,  unquestionably,  a  glorious  work  of  divine  grace  in 
the  community.  Along  with  it,  there  had  been  a  large 
developement  of  the  devices  of  Satan, — much  disorder  and 
enthusiasm, — much  uncharitableness  and  wild  fanaticism. 
But  the  chaff  was  now  becoming  separated  from  the  wheat. 
The  prevalence  of  sober  and  correct  views,  over  false  heat, 
was  fast  becoming  apparent.  The  faults  of  the  past  had 
been  acknowledged  and  renounced.  Due  efforts  had  been 
made  to  obtain  an  orderly  release  from  former  ecclesiastical 
relations.  In  the  establishment  of  the  new  Church,  the 
foundations  were  laid  firm  and  deep  in  the  essential  prin- 
ciples  of  that  faith  and  order  which  had  been  professed  and 
practised  by  the  earliest  Churches  of  New  England. 

Meanwhile,  the  providence  and  grace  of  God  was  raising 
up,  and  preparing  for  the  work  to  be  assigned  him,  a  pastor 
eminently  qualified  for  the  exigencies  of  the  times,  and  the 
wants  of  this  ])articular  people. 

The  Rev.  Jonathan  Parsons  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Mass.,  Nov.  30,  1705.  He  was  the  child  of  Christian 
parents,  and  in  his  early  years  was  carefully  educated  in 
the  principles  of  faith  and  piety. 

He  entered  Yale  College  at  the  age  of  twenty,  and  was 
ordained  over  a  Congregational  Church  in  Lyme,  Cc^n.,  a 
little  more  than  a  year  after  he  took  his  first  degree.  The 
first  two  years  of  his  ministry  he  preached  Arminian 
principles,  and,  as  he  afterwards  had  reason  to  fear,  was  a 
stranger  to  regenerating  grace.  But  it  pleased  God  to  carry  ' 
him  through  a  severe  mental  conflict,  by  which  his  religious 
views.^were  greatly  changed,  and  his  heart,  as  he  ever 
afterwards  believed,  created  anew  in  Christ  Jesus. 

Parsons  was  a  minister  at  Lyme,  during  the  whole  of 


33 

that  remarkable  period,  already  designated  as  the  "Great 
awakening."  He  was  a  close  friend  of  Whitefield,  and  often 
entertained  him  at  his  house.  Perhaps  no  man,  if  we 
except  Whitefield,  and  Tennent,  and  Jonathan  Edwards, 
was  more  completely  identified  with  that  wonderful  move- 
ment, than  he. 

He  had  suffered  severe  trials  in  consequence.  Five  or 
six  influential  members  of  his  own  Church,  violently 
opposed  his  ministry.  Efforts  were  made  to  malign  his 
character,  and  the  opposition  at  length  rose  to  such  a  height 
that  he  thought  it  his  duty  to  retire  from  the  sacred  office, 
among  that  people,  and  seek  for  himself  another  place  of 
usefulness. 

It  was  just  at  this  period,  in  the  life  of  Parsons,  that  the 
new  Church  here  was  about  to  be  organized.  The  advice 
of  Whitefield  turned  the  attention  of  the  people  towards 
him  as  a  suitable  person  to  become  their  pastor.  Accord- 
ingly, a  few  days  after  they  had  embodied  themelves 
into  a  Church,  namely,  on  the  seventh  of  January,  seven- 
teen hundred  and  forty-six,  they  invited  him  to  take  the 
oversight  of  them. 

Vigorous  efforts  now  began  to  be  made  to  prevent  the 
consummation  of  the  contemplated  connexion.  The  first 
Church  passed  a  vote  that  it  was  disorderly  to  officiate  as 
a  minister  on  the  Lord's  day,  to  persons  withdrawn  from 
the  neighboring  Churches.  (6)  They  also  voted,  in 
case  he  did  not  desist,  they  would  send  to  Lyme  and 
ascertain  what  misconduct  he  might  be  found  to  be  charge- 
able with.  A  letter  from  one  of  his  most  violent  opposers, 
in  his  former  parish,  was  obtained  and  exhibited  in  various 
ways  to  his  disadvantage.  Even  the  mild  and  prudent 
Lowell  went  so  far  as  to  read,  publicly  from  the  pulpit, 
certain  slanderous  charges,  which  had  chanced  to  come  into 
his  possession,  with  the  express  design  of  warning  the 
people  against  him. 


34 

But  the  people  were  not  so  to  be  discouraged.  They 
had  listened  to  his  defence  and  explanations.  They  had 
read  the  full  and  explicit  recommendation  given  him  by  the 
Council  which  dismissed  him  from  his  former  charge,  (c) 
They  believed  him  to  be,  as  the  event  proved,  eminently 
qualified  for  their  peculiar  exigencies.  They  therefore, 
still  persisted  in  their  determination  to  install  him  over 
them. 

Accordingly,  on  the  nineteenth  of  March,  the  installation 
took  place.  There  was  no  Council  called,  for  it  was 
thought  best,  by  the  most  judicious  friends  of  the  new 
Church,  that  it  should  remain,  for  the  present,  entirely 
independent,  {d)  The  people  assembled  in  the  house 
of  worship,  and  the  pastor  elect  preached  to  them  from 
1  Peter  5:9.  "  Steadfast  in  the  faith."  After  singing  a 
hymn,  he  reminded  the  congregation  of  the  efforts,  which 
had  been  made,  since  his  call  to  become  their  pastor,  to 
traduce  his  ministerial  character  j  and  having  presented  his 
testimonials  for  their  consideration,  proposed  to  them  once 
more  to  decide  whether  it  was  still  their  wish  that  he 
should  be  their  minister.  The  vote  was  taken  by  the  clerk, 
and  passed  unanimously  in  the  affirmative.  (e)  The 
pastor  elect  then  said,  "  In  the  presence  of  God  and  these 
witnesses,  I  take  this  people  to  be  my  people,"  and  the 
clerk  replied,  speaking  in  the  name  of  the  rest,  "  In  the 
presence  of  God  and  these  witnesses,  we  take  this  man  to 
be  our  minister." 

Meanwhile,  they  had  agreed  upon  a  platform  of  Church 
government  and  discipline,  and  adopted  a  confession  of 
faith.  The  form  of  government  was,  at  first,  one  which 
might  properly  be  called  independant  Presbyterian.  The 
difficulties  which  they  had  encountered  in  obtaining  a 
release  from  the  old  Church,  had  made  them  greatly  averse 
to  Congregationalism.     Their  original  platform,  however. 


35 

was  not  intended  to  be  permanent,  but  only  to  be  observed 
for  the  present,  until  they  could  see  their  way  clear  to  form 
other  relations.  It  maintained,  distinctly,  that  the  power  of 
privilege  resides  in  the  brotherhood  at  large,  but,  as  the 
scripture  has  not  explicitly  bound  them  as  to  the  mode  in 
which  it  should  be  exercised,  they  are  at  liberty  to  do  it 
through  a  representative  body  if  they  see  fit.  Such  a  body, 
therefore,  it  required  the  Church  annually  to  appoint ;  and 
with  them  all  the  power  of  discipline  was  to  be  .lodged, 
with  this  provision,  that  if  the  elders  so  appointed  should 
be  unable  to  reclaim  an  offender,  they  should  at  last  bring 
the  case  before  the  brotherhood  at  large,  to  advise  what 
should  be  done  further  in  the  case. 

On  the  seventh  of  April  following,  the  organization  of 
the  Church  was  completed  by  the  choice  of  six  ruling 
eldcs,  and  shortly  after,  negociations  were  commenced 
which  at  length  resulted  in  a  connexion  with  the  presbytery 
of  Boston, — (/)  the  Church  reserving  one  feature  of 
her  original  constitution  only,  viz  :  the  right  to  choose  her 
elders  annually, — aright  which  she  has  steadily  maintained, 
through  all  changes,  to  the  present  day. 

The  Church  had  now  become,  in  the  full  sense  of  the 
word,  a  Presbyterian  Church.  The  motives  which  led  to 
this  were  partly  an  aversion  to  the  old  system,  for  the 
reason  just  mentioned,  and  partly  a  necessity  which  was 
laid  upon  them  to  become  another  denomination,  in  order 
to  escape  the  absolute  oppression  of  the  Congregational 
discipline,  as  then  conducted.  Strange  as  it  may  seem  to 
some,  who  are  in  the  habit  of  regarding  Presbyterianism  as 
too  rigid,  and  unfriendly  to  popular  rights,  it  was  expressly 
for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  undue  rigidity,  and  in  defence 
of  popular  rights,  that  the  founders  of  this  Church  adopted 
that  form  of  government. 

The  only  exclusive  principle,  which  this  Church  set  up, 


36 

was  that  which  respected  Christian  character  and  soundness 
in  the  faith.  They  often  protested,  that  by  becoming 
Presbyterians  they  had  no  intention  to  withdraw  from 
free  intercourse  with  their  Congregational  brethren.  All 
Churches  who  adhered  to  the  principles  set  forth  in  the 
Assembly's  catechism,  they  stood  ready  at  all  times  to 
welcome  as  brethren,     (g) 

The  Church  being  thus  organized  and  established,  and 
provided  with  an  able  pastor,  the  brethren  in  the  third 
Church,  who  were  in  sympathy  with  them,  sought  once 
more  for  a  dismission,  in  order  to  join  them.  This 
request  was  decisively  denied,  and  the  Church  voted  that 
they  could  not  acknowledge  the  new  Church  as  a  regular 
Church  of  Christ. 

The  dissatisfied  brethren  now  determined  to  retire 
without  a  dismission;  and,  after  long  deliberation,  and 
having  taken  the  advice  of  such  ministers  as  they  thought 
worthy  of  confidence,  the  new  Church  voted  to  receive 
them,  (/i)  Thus  the  scattered  bands  were  at  length 
united  into  one  flock,  and  beneath  the  shelter  of  the 
sanctuary  which  then  our  hands  had  erected,  they  sat 
down  together  under  the  watch  of  the  same  spiritual 
shepherd,     (i) 

But  the  trials  of  this  Church  and  congregation  were  but 
just  begun.  A  long  struggle  ensued  to  obtain  exemption 
from  the  exactions  of  the  Congregational  system,  then  by 
law  established.  Application  was  made  to  the  Legislature 
to  be  released  from  taxation  in  the  regular  parishes.  The 
parishes  remonstrated,  and  the  petition  was  denied.  Again 
and  again,  was  the  subject  brought  before  the  General  Court. 
Governor  Shirley,  in  one  instance,  recommended  the  case 
to  its  special  attention.  But  their  neighbors  insisted  that 
they  were  a  misguided  band  who  ought  not  to  be  encour- 
aged.     They   reminded   the    Legislature    that    they   had 


37 

always  been  frowned  upon  by  their  predecessors  in  office, 
and  that  since  being  so  treated,  "  they  had  sought  shelter 
and  relief  under  the  Presbyterian  form,  but  all  in  vain." 
They  more  than  intimated  the  confident  expectation,  that 
they  always  would  continue  to  be  frowned  upon.  And  so 
the  case  proved  during  many  years.  When  the  members 
of  this  congregation  pleaded  conscience  against  the  exac- 
tions which  were  made  upon  them,  they  were  told  that 
what  they  called  conscience,  was  but  avarice.  When  they 
complained,  that  the  burden  was  beyond  their  ability,  they 
were  taunted  with  the  fact  that  they  had  assumed  a 
voluntary  burden,  in  the  establishment  of  their  own  separate 
worship.  When,  in  reliance  on  what  seemed  to  them 
common  justice,  some  of  them  refused  to  pay  what  was 
exacted,  the  officers  of  the  law  seized  upon  their  persons 
and  thrust  them  into  prison.  Repeated  cases  of  this  nature 
are  to  be  found  recorded  in  the  private  journal  of  the  first 
pastor,  in  which,  in  the  face  of  many  indignities,  he  felt 
himself  called  upon  to  visit  the  prison  to  console  his 
suffering  brethren.  The  argument  for  these  coersive  mea- 
sures was  this,  "  the  parish  property  is  pledged  for  the  support 
of  the  parish  minister.  The  English  dissenters  are  obliged 
to  pay  for  the  support  of  the  established  Church,  and  why 
should  you  be  exempted  ?"  True  the  law  had  already 
exempted  Churchmen,  Anabaptists,  and  Quakers.  But  the 
like  privileges  the  poor  Presbyterian  must  not  look  for. 
And  why,  forsooth  ?  Because  he  ought  not  to  he  a  Presby- 
terian. He  should  have  never  separated  from  the  old 
Congregational  parish.  Strange  as  it  may  seem  to  us,  with 
our  present  views  of  religious  liberty,  the  third  parish  in 
Newbury  earnestly  remonstrated  to  the  General  Court, 
against  granting  the  prayer  of  the  petitioners,  on  the 
ground  of  the  evil  consequences  likely  to  ensue  "from  the 
precedent  of  giving  parish  privileges  to  all  the  various  sects 
in  this  province."  4 


38 

The  oppression  was  so  severely  felt  by  this  society,  that 
they  had  taken  the  preliminary  steps,  at  one  time,  to  have 
their  case  particularly  brought  before  the  King  in  Council. 
They  went  so  far  as  to  obtain  a  written  opinion  of  the 
Attorney  General  in  England,  respecting  the  best  mode  of 
procedure,  and  only  desisted  from  their  purpose  because 
some  judicious  friends  abroad  thought  such  a  representation 
as  they  would  be  obliged  to  make,  might  endanger  the 
charter  of  the  colony,  and  prove  injurious  to  the  interests 
of  the  English  dissenters.  About  this  time,  however,  some 
partial  relief,  but  very  inadequate,  was  granted  them  by  the 
provincial  Legislature.*  It  was  not  till  many  years  after 
this,  that  an  application  from  the  town  of  Newburyport 
procured  for  all  denominations  here,  the  right  to  conduct 
their  own  ecclesiastical  aifairs  in  their  own  way. 

Ample  evidence  exists  that  the  members  of  this  society, 
with  their  pastor,  were,  for  many  years,  subjected  among 
their  neighbors,  to  many  indignities.  The  strong  feeling, 
with  which  Parsons  mentions,  in  his  diary,  that  the  town 
clerk,  though  not  a  member  of  his  society,  treated  him 
kindly  when  he  called  upon  him,  shows  how  little  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  expecting,  in  the  way  of  respect  and 
friendship.  The  low  and  vulgar,  in  some  instances, 
reviled  him,  and  pelted  him  with  stones  in  the  street. 

The  subsequent  history  of  this  Church  and  society  I 
must  pass  over  in  the  most  cursory  manner,  for  want  of 
time.  During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Parsons,  a  period  of 
about  thirty  years,  the  Church  and  society  flourished 
and  increased  greatly.     It  enjoyed  several  very  cheering 

*  A  comparison  of  dates  shows  that  the  partial  relief  above  referred  to, 
must  have  been  wrung  from  the  Legislature,  under  the  fear  that  the  case 
would  otherwise  be  carried  over  to  the  government  of  the  parent  country. 
As  it  was,  the  relief  was  so  stinted,  and  encumbered  with  so  many  condi- 
tions, that  it  proved  rather  the  occasion  of  new  lawsuits,  than  any  very 
substantial  benefit. 


39 

revivals  of  religion,  during  which  many  converts  were 
added  to  the  number  of  the  professed  followers  of  Christ. 
It  was  at  one  of  these  seasons,  in  the  year  1756,  that,  the 
congregation  having  become  too  large  for  the  place  of 
meeting,  the  house  where  we  naw  assemble  was  erected, 
(j  )  It  was  then  supposed  to  be  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
country,  yet  so  great  was  the  increase  of  numbers  that, 
about  eleven  years  later,  a  plan  was  formed  for  erecting 
another  house  of  worship,  dividing  the  congregation  into 
two  parts,  and  inviting  the  Rev.  James  Sproat,  afterwards 
of  Philadelphia,  to  minister  in  one  of  them  as  colleague 
pastor  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons.  This  plan,  however, 
seems  not  to  have  been  prosecuted,     {k) 

The  communion  seasons,  during  this  period,  were  pecu- 
liarly animating  and  delightful.  Parsons  compares  one  of 
them  to  a  similar  season  which  he  had  enjoyed  in  Lyme, 
during  his  ministry  there,  and  which,  in  his  description  of 
the  work  of  grace  given  in  the  Christian  history,  he  had 
called  his  Pentecost.  He  thought  this  even  more  delightful, 
in  some  respects,  than  that  remarkable  occasion.  After  the 
Church  joined  the  Presbytery,  the  practice  of  the  Scotch 
Churches  was  adopted,  namely,  that  of  having  public 
religious  exercises  both  the  day  before  and  the  day  succeed- 
ing the  administration  of  the  Lord's  supper, — a  practice 
which  continued  in  the  Church  many  years.  So  interest- 
ing were  these  seasons,  that  I  have  heard  the  aged  people 
among  us  often  say,  that  crowds  flocked  from  the  whole 
surrounding  region  to  share  in  the  pleasure  and  benefit  of 
the  exercises. 

Mr.  Parsons  was  a  man  eminently  adapted  to  be  at  the 
head  of  such  a  people.  A  fervid  revivalist  of  high  repute, 
he  was,  of  course,  all  they  desired  on  that  head.  Experi- 
enced in  the  dangers  which  attend  all  religious  excitements, 
he  was  prepared  to  furnish  the  most  happy  safe-guards. 


40 

Having  once  imbibed  and  preached  the  looser  form  of 
doctrine,  then  becoming  prevalent  in  many  of  the  Churches, 
he  knew  how  to  discriminate  between  truth  and  error,  and 
raise  the  warning  voice  against  the  first  beginnings  of 
defection.  The  people,  yith  some  few  exceptions,  were, 
at  that  time,  exceedingly  ill-informed  in  respect  to  the 
Gospel  system  of  religious  truth,  and  Parsons'  logical 
training  and  thorough  scholarship,  were  eminently  adapted 
to  their  instruction  and  establishment  in  the  faith.  It  was 
a  happy  thing  for  this  Church  and  society  that  it  enjoyed, 
during  so  large  a  portion  of  its  early  trials  and  hazards,  the 
services  of  such  a  man  as  Jonathan  Parsons,     (l) 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Parsons,  this  Church  and  soci- 
ety enjoyed,  in  repeated  instances,  the  services  of  the  elo- 
quent and  devoted  Whitefield,  by  whose  counsels  their  early 
movements  were  in  part  directed,  and  were  at  length,  in 
the  providence  of  God,  indulged  the  mournful  privilege  of 
laying  his  remains  to  rest  beneath  their  own  sanctuary, 
where  they  now  slumber,  awaiting  the  final  resurrection, 
beside  his,  in  whose  hospitable  dwelling,  he  so  often,  during 
his  life-time,  found  a  home. 

The  next  minister  was  the  Rev.  John  Murray.  He  was 
a  native  of  Ireland,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
university  of  Edinburgh.  When  he  came  to  this  country, 
he  was  hardly  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  shortly  after 
was  settled  as  a  minister  in  the  second  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Philadelphia.  But  he  had  been  guilty  of  a  very 
serious  misdemeanor  in  respect  to  the  signatures  to  his 
credentials,  which  having  at  length  come  to  light,  was 
the  cause  of  his  removal  from  that  city.  He  was  next 
settled  in  Boothbay,  where  a  presbytery,  was  formed, 
called  "  the  presbytery  of  the  eastward,"  of  which  he 
became  the  most  prominent  member,  (m)  Mr.  Par- 
sons had  known  something  of  Mr.  Murray  from  his  first 


41 

arrival,  and  when  the  unfavorable  reports  came  to  be 
circulated,  he  took  special  pains  to  inquire  into  their 
foundation.  The  result  was  a  decided  conviction,  that  the 
faults  committed,  taken  in  connexion  with  his  own  humble 
acknowledgment,  were  not  such  as  justly  to  debar  him 
from  Christian  charity,  or  to  disqualify  him  for  the  exercise 
of  the  ministry.  The  presbytery  of  Boston,  however, 
refused  fellowship  with  Mr.  Murray,  and  it  was  partly  on 
this  account,  that  this  Church,  with  their  pastor,  withdrew 
from  that  presbytery,  and  became  connected  with  the 
presbytery  of  the  eastward. 

Mr.  Murray  wsis  a  remarkable  preacher.  No  man  drew 
such  crowds  to  hear  him,  or  held  them  in  a  listening 
attitude  so  long.  He  was  active  in  the  promotion  of 
religion  out  of  the  bounds  of  his  own  parish.  Many 
ministers  were  educated  by  the  aid  which  they  received 
from  a  society  of  which  he  was  the  chief  supporter  and 
guiding  spirit.  Many  Churches,  especially  in  the  state  of 
Maine,  owed  their  origin  to  his  influence  and  exertions. 
He  had  his  faults,  unquestionably,  which  marred  his 
usefulness ;  and  the  censure  under  which  he  remained,  in 
the  eyes  of  many,  deprived  the  Church  and  society  of  that 
free  intercourse  which  they  might  otherwise  have  enjoyed 
with  some  of  the  neighboring  Churches  ;  but  his  ministry 
seems  to  have  proved,  on  the  whole,  a  great  blessing,  both 
in  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  edification  of  the 
Church  of  Christ. 

Mr.  Murray  was  first  invited  to  become  colleague  pastor 
with  Mr.  Parsons,  several  years  before  his  decease ;  but 
declined  the  application,  among  other  reasons,  on  account 
of  the  cloud  under  which  his  reputation  was  suffering. 
After  the  death  of  Mr.  Parsons  the  application  was  renewed, 
but,  for  various  reasons,  he  still  persisted  in  his  refusal.     It 

was  not  till  after  long  waiting  and  many  discouragements, 

4* 


42 

that  he  was  obtained  to  be  the  minister  of  this  people. 
He  was  settled  here,  without  any  formal  installation,  on 
the  strength  of  a  vote  of  presbytery  to  that  effect,  June 
fourth,  1781,  about  five  years  after  the  death  of  Mr.  Par- 
sons ;  and  continued  in  office,  till  his  own  decease,  March 
13,  1793,  a  period  of  about  twelve  years. 

The  third  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  Dana.  Previous 
to  his  settlement,  however,  two  successive  divisions  had 
fallen  off  from  the  Church  and  society. 

During  the  latter  days  of  Mr.  Murray,  a  young  mission- 
ary from  Nova  Scotia  came  to  Newburyport,  at  the 
invitation  of  the  pastor  of  the  Church,  to  assist  him  in  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  supper.  His  talents  were 
peculiar  and  striking.  A  large  portion  of  the  Congregation 
were  delighted  with  him ;  and  as  Mr.  Murray  was  now 
aged  and  infirm,  desired  to  retain  him  as  their  minister. 
The  majority,  however,  thought  otherwise.  The  result 
was  that  the  adherents  of  the  young  candidate  withdrew, 
to  attend  upon  his  ministrations.  After  the  death  of  Mr. 
Murray,  they  formally  renounced  the  government  of  this 
Church,  and,  having  erected  a  new  house  of  worship,  and 
having  embodied  themselves  into  an  independent  Church, 
took  the  Rev.  Charles  W.  Milton  to  be  their  minister. 
The  result  was  the  establishment  of  a  new  religious  society, 
which  soon  became  one  of  the  largest  in  the  town,  and 
which,  whatever  irregularity  may  have  attended  its  origin, 
has  won  for  itself  an  honorable  plac6  among  the  Churches 
of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

The  second  separation  took  place  in  connexion  with  the 
settlement  of  Mr.  Dana.  A  portion  of  the  Church  and 
society,  dissatisfied  with  the  candidate  who  had  been 
chosen,  withdrew  and  formed  the  second  Presbyterian 
Church  in  this  town,  and  settled  over  them  the  Rev.  John 
Boddily.     Here,  however,  as  in  the   former  case,  division 


43 

proved  to  be  but  reduplication.  The  new  Church  having 
settled  down  upon  the  principles  of  the  same  faith  and 
order  with  ourselves,  took  the  earliest  opportunity,  after  a 
course  of  years,  to  secure  for  itself  the  services  of  the  very 
same  man,  whom,  in  the  first  instance,  it  had  rejected  ; 
and  for  many  years  it  has  held  sweet  intercourse,  in  holy 
things,  both  with  the  parent  Church,  and  with  its  elder 
sister.  We  rejoice  to  welcome  here,  to-day,  our  brethren 
of  both  these  societies,  and  to  greet  them  as  the  descend- 
ants of  the  same  sires,  whose  worth  we  have  assembled  to 
celebrate. 

Mr.  Dana  was  ordained  November  19,  1794,  and  contin- 
ued in  the  ministry  in  this  Church,  till  he  was  called  to 
take  the  Presidency  of  Dartmouth  College,  in  the  autumn 
of  the  year  1820.  Few  pastors  have  enjoyed,  so  univer- 
sally, the  warmest  affection  of  their  people,  as  Dr. 
Dana,  during  his  ministry  in  this  Church.  The  parting 
scene  was  truly  affecting.  They  yielded  him  up  only  at 
the  call  of  duty,  and  wept  as  children,  when  a  venerated 
and  beloved  parent  is  taken  from  their  head,  (m)  It 
was  during  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Dana,  in  the  year  1802, 
that  the  Church,  by  a  formal  vote,  adopted  the  constitution 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
the  United  States,  reserving  only  its  established  practice  of 
electing  its  elders  annually. 

Several  other  important  changes  were  effected,  likewise, 
during  this  ministry.  *  The  old  practice  of  giving  out  the 
hymn,  line  by  line,  from  the  deacon's  seat,  was  relinquished, 
for  the  more  decent  method  of  reading  it  connectedly,  from 
the  pulpit.  The  Church,  also,  laid  aside  the  custom  of  a 
protracted  series  of  services  in  connection  with  the  admin- 
istration of  the  Lord's  supper,  maintaining  only  a  prepara- 
tory lecture  on  some  week  day,  and  a  meeting  for  prayer 
on  Saturday  evening,  before  the  communion.     During  this 


44 

ministry,  the  Church  and  society  came  into  freer  fellowship 
with  the  neighboring  Churches,  than  had  been  enjoyed 
previously ;  the  reasons  of  withholding  such  fellowship 
having  now  ceased  to  exist  on  both  sides,  (o)  In  the 
year  1811,  the  first  chapel,  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
Church  and  society  in  their  less  public  religious  exercises, 
was  erected. 

Dr.  Dana's  immediate  successor  was  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Porter  Williams,  He  was  born  in  Weathersfield,  Conn., 
February  22,  1779,  entered  Yale  College  in  1792,  at  the 
age  of  thirteen  years,  and  was  graduated  in  1796.  For  a 
time  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  employments,  but, 
having  at  length  given  his  heart  to  religion,  he  became  a 
communicant,  in  March,  1803,  and  proceeded  to  prepare 
himself  for  the  gospel  ministry  ;  first  under  the  direction  of 
Dr.  Dwight,  at  New  Haven,  and  then  under  that  of  Dr. 
Howard,  of  Springfield.  He  was  first  settled  in  Mansfield, 
Connecticut,  where  he  remained  several  years.  Two 
yeai-s,  he  labored,  with  much  success,  at  Northampton. 
He  was  installed  as  pastor  of  this  Church  and  society  Feb- 
ruary 8,  1821,  and  died   in  the  same  office,  Dec.  23,  1836. 

Mr.  Williams  was  a  man  of  great  energy,  decision,  and 
independence.  What  he  thought,  he  said,  and  as  his  people 
always  knew,  it  was  said  kindly,  though  it  sometimes  cut 
deep,  they  received  it  without  taking  offence.  His  preach- 
ing was  eloquent,  sometimes  ornate,  but  instructive  and 
adapted  to  impress  the  conscience  aJid  the  heart.  Some 
complained  of  his  style  as  too  involved  and  obscure  ;  but  he 
engaged  the  attention,  awakened  thought  and  enquiry,  and 
was  successful,  it  is  believed,  in  turning  many  to  righteous- 
ness. During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Williams,  some  ancient 
practices  of  the  Church,  good  in  their  day,  perhaps,  but 
now  grown  obsolete,  and  to  which  some  were  disposed  to 
adhere  with  almost  superstitious   veneration,  were  aban- 


45 

doned.  Among  these,  may  be  mentioned  the  practice  of 
reading  before  the  congregation  a  written  account  of  the 
religious  experience  of  candidates  for  admission  to  the 
Church. 

The  last  public  eifort  of  Mr.  Williams  was  on  Thanks- 
giving day,  less  than  one  month  before  his  decease.  His 
pallid  countenance,  and  scarce  supported  form,  gave  a 
powerful  effect  to  his  performance,  as  he  announced  his 
text  from  Isaiah  38 :  18,  19,  20.  "  The  grave  cannot 
praise  thee  ;  Death  cannot  celebrate  thee,"  «fec.,  and 
proceeded  to  discourse  to  his  people  on  "  the  value  of  life." 
"He  seemed,"  says  the  editor  of  his  discourses,  "like  one 
lifting  up  his  head  from  the  grave,  to  tell  his  people  what 
it  is  that  makes  life  precious  in  the  estimation  of  a  dying 
Christian." 

Mr.  Williams  was  succeeded  in  the  sacred  office  by  the 
Rev.  John  Proudfit,  ordained  October  4,  1827,  and  dis- 
missed, on  account  of  impaired  health,  February,  1833, — 
an  accomplished  scholar,  a  devout  Christian,  and  a  suc- 
cessful minister  of  the  Gospel.  The  present  incumbent 
was  ordained  September  16,  1835. 

During  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Proudfit,  in  the  year  1829, 
the  house  of  worship  was  repaired  and  altered,  and  a 
cenotaph  erected  in  the  eastern  corner  to  the  memory  of 
Whitefield,  by  Hon.  William  Bartlett,  then  a  member  of 
this  congregation.  In  the  year  1831,  this  society,  in 
common  with  others 'in  this  town,  enjoyed  a  remarkable 
revival  of  religion.  During  most  of  that  period  the  pastor 
was  absent  on  a  tour  in  Europe,  and  the  pulpit  was 
supplied  chiefly  by  Rev.  Joseph  Abbot,  now  of  Beverly, 
and  Rev.  Dr.  Cheever,  now  of  New  York. 

In  the  summer  of  1843,  the  old  chapel,  having  become 
decayed,  a  new  and  commodious  one  was  erected  in  the 
rear  of  the  Church  and  connected  with  it. 


46 

The  cooperation  between  the  Church  and  society  has 
always  been,  it  is  believed,  harmonious  and  pleasant. 
Seldom  helve  serious  difficulties  occurred  to  disturb  the 
general  peace  among  the  members  of  either.  The  regular 
ministrations  of  a  settled  pastor  have  been  enjoyed,  with 
but  short  intervals  from  the  beginning.  No  minister  has 
been  dismissed  from  his  office  on  account  of  dissension 
among  the  people,  or  a  dissatisfaction  with  him  or  his 
labors.  A  good  degree  of  spiritual  prosperity  has  been 
enjoyed,  (p)  From  its  commencement  to  the  present  day, 
the  Church  has  discovered  a  commendable  interest,  in  all 
departments  of  Christian  benevolence.  From  the  earliest 
date  at  which  its  records  were  regularly  kept,  an  annual 
collection  was,  for  many  years,  taken  up  for  the  benefit  of 
the  poor  among  its  own  people,  and  a  quarterly  collection 
for  general  purposes  of  charity.  In  the  year  1760,  340 
pounds,  4  shillings  and  3  pence,  was  collected  "  for  the 
distressed  people  of  Boston,  who  have  suffered,"  say  the 
records,  "by  the  late  fire  there."  Similar  collections  were 
from  time  to  time  afforded  to  meet  other  similar  wants. 
To  a  society  for  promoting  the  the  education  of  young 
men  for  the  Gospel  ministry,  this  congregation  contributed 
liberally,  as  early  as  the  year  1783.  It  was  also  active,  at 
that  early  day,  in  maintaining  missionaries  in  the  destitute 
portions  of  our  country,  and  particularly  in  that  portion  of 
the  State  which  was  then  the  District  of  Maine.  Since 
the  organization  of  the  present  system  of  benevolent 
associations,  it  has  been  a  steady  contributor  to  all  the 
more  prominent  among  them,  furnishing  annually  an 
aggregate  little  short  of  the  salary  of  its  own  pastor.  It  is 
believed  few  Churches  and  congregations, — especially  if  we 
consider  the  heavy  burdens  which  the  people  were  com- 
pelled to  bear,  for  many  years  after  their  organization,  in 
contributing  to  the  support  of  two  ministers, — their  own 


47 

and  that  of  the   old  parish, — have  discovered,  throughout 
their  whole  history,  a  more  ready  and  diifusive  liberality. 

The  Church  still  retains  her  early  form  of  government 
and  discipline.  Amidst  all  the  changes  which  have  taken 
place  around  her,  she  has  continued  to  be,  and  still  is,  a 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  only  one  in  the  State,  as  I  sup- 
pose, now  connected  with  any  presbytery.  Twice  at  least, 
she  has  been  solicited  to  adopt  the  forms  of  the  surrounding 
Churches, — once  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dana,*  who,  at  the  time 
of  his  settlement,  had  a  preference  for  the  Congregational 
form,  and  once  by  some  of  her  own  members.  But  in 
both  instances  she  decided  to  remain,  as  her  founders 
established  her,  Presbyterian.  This  Church  has  been 
connected,  from  time  to  time,  with  several  presbyteries, 
and  was,  for  many  years  previous  to  the  great  schism  in 
the  general  assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States,  a  constituent  part  of  that  body.  Since  that 
period,  the  presbytery  of  Newburyport,  not  being  disposed 
to  decide  between  the  two  bodies  claiming  the  name  and 
rights  of  that  assembly,  has  remained  separate. 

This  Church  still  maintains  her  original  confession  of 
faith.  The  Assembly's  Catechism  was  at  the  beginning, 
ever  has  been,  and  still  is,  "  for  substance  of  doctrine,"  the 
exposition  of  her  views  of  religious  truth.  Her  six  pastors 
have  been  men  of  various  temperaments,  and  educated 
under  a  great  variety  of  circumstances,  but  it  is  believed  if 
they  could  all  be  gathered  at  this  moment,  they  would  see 
no  occasion  to  disagree  materially  upon  the  points  of 
doctrine,  in  which  they  have  instructed  their  flock.  Could 
the  faithful  dead,  who  have  been  its  members,  be  assembled 

*  It  is  due  to  Dr.  Dana  to  observe  here,  that  whatever  may  have  been 
the  predilections  of  his  youth,  he  has  since,  though  by  no  means  rigorous 
in  respect  to  forms  of  government,  evinced  a  strong  and  constant  attach- 
ment to  the  presbyterian  constitution  and  discipline. 


48 

now,  the  fathers  among  them  would  unquestionably  find 
us  changed  in  many  important  particulars  ;  in  some  respects, 
I  trust,  they  would  acknowledge  that  we  have  changed  for 
the  better ;  but  I  trust  they  would  not  find  us  to  have 
departed,  in  any  material  points,  from  an  adherence  to  those 
precious  truths,  for  the  sake  of  which  they  consented  to 
all  their  sacrifices.  They  Avould  acknowledge  and  feel, 
that,  so  far  as  we  are  what  we  profess  to  be,  we  and  they 
have  "  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  one  God  and 
father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and  in  us 
all." 

The  history  of  this  Church  seems  to  impose  upon  us 
some  peculiar  obligations. 

1.  First  it  teaches  us  to  be  valiant  for  the  truth,  and  to 
guard,  with  jealous  watchfulness,  the  faith  once  delivered 
to  the  saints.  The  period,  in  which  this  Church  was 
formed,  was  not  the  only  period  in  which  the  purity  and 
soundness  of  Christian  doctrine  has  been  endangered. 
There  are  perils  encompassing  the  Church,  at  the  present 
day,  of  which  the  fathers  dreamed  not.  The  enemies  are 
more,  and  stronger,  and  more  various  and  subtil,  than  at 
almost  any  period  known  to  us  since  the  Saviour's  advent. 
At  such  a  period,  it  becomes  us  to  study  carefully  the 
principles  and  the  foundations  of  our  faith, — that  we  may 
hold  fast  to  the  sacred  truths  which  our  fathers  cherished, 
not  with  a  blind  attachment,  but  with  an  intelligent  and 
reasonable  conviction.  Beware,  my  brethren,  of  that 
looseness  of  thought  and  opinion,  which  regards  all  sorts  of 
notions  on  religious  subjects  as  equally  good  and  equally 
safe  to  the  soul.  It  is  not  so.  Truth  is  one  and  invariable. 
Truth  alone  is  able  to  make  the  heart  of  man  wise  unto 
salvation.  Yet  I  would  not  have  you  fall  into  bigotry,  in 
your  attachment  to,  and  defence  of  the  truth.  Between 
bigotry  and  an  intelligent  and  conscientious  adherence  to 


the  true  faith,  there  is  the  widest  possible  distinction. 
Contend  earnestly  for  the  faith,  but  do  not  quarrel  about  it. 
Keep  ever  an  open  hand,  in  fellowship  with  all  those  who 
hold  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Gospel,  however 
they  may  differ  from  you  in  less  important  particulars. 
And  even  towards  those  who  seem  to  have  departed  from 
the  right  standard  in  essential  matters,  maintain  ever  that 
kindness,  courtesy  and  friendly  fairness,  which  will  con- 
vince them  that  your  firmness  is  not  obstinacy,  nor  your 
opposition  bitterness. 

2.  In  the  second  place  the  history  of  this  Church  teaches 
us  to  strive  earnestly  for  the  promotion  of  living  piety. 
It  is  not  a  round  of  decent  formalities,  it  is  not  regular 
attendance  on  the  outward  means  of  grace,  it  is  not  exter- 
nal blamelessness  of  life,  that  constitutes  true  religion.  The 
heart  must  be  right  with  God.  The  interior  fountain  of 
moral  feeling  and  action  must  be  sanctified.  The  spirit  of 
man  must  hold  constant  communion  Avith  the  Divine  Spirit. 
Our  conversation  must  be  in  heaven,  while  we  sojourn 
below,  and  our  whole  character  wear  the  ornaments  of 
heaven.  A  dead  orthodoxy  is  hardly  less  to  be  deplored 
than  the  worst  heresy.  Religious  truth  has  but  a  precari- 
ous hold  upon  us,  when  the  intellect  alone  receives  and 
embraces  it.  Unless  we  receive  the  truth  in  the  love  of  it, 
it  will  be  of  no  benefit  to  us.  Let  us  strive  then,  both  to 
feel  and  act,  and  to  make  others  feel  and  act  in  accordance 
with  the  doctrines  which  we  maintain.  And  praying 
earnestly  for  the  influences  of  the  Divine  Spirit,  without 
which  no  human  efforts  can  avail  anything,  let  us  strive  to 
convince  the  world  of  sin,  lead  the  wandering  soul  back  to 
the  Saviour  of  sinners,  and  make  the  Church  what  its  divine 
founder  intended  it  should  be,  a  living  exemplification  of 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  a  living  epistle  of  recommenda- 
tion to  it,  known  and  read  of  all  men.  O  !  if  this  Church 
5 


50 

should  ever  sink  down  in  a  lifeless  form,  without  the  power 
of  Godliness,  methinks  the  ashes  of  the  dead  beneath  and 
around  us,  would  cry  shame  on  us,  from  their  tombs,  for 
our  wicked  apostacy.  Was  it  for  this  that  they  endured 
reproach,  and  trial,  and  suffering  ?  That  their  posterity 
might  forget  the  very  thing  which  was  most  dear  to  them  ? 
No,  my  brethren,  as  you  honor  the  fathers,  live  the  reli- 
gion you  profess.  Their  contest  was  for  a  living  piety. 
3.  The  history  of  this  Church  teaches  us  to  value  and 
promote  genuine  revivals  of  religion.  I  know  well  that 
there  is  an  element  of  imperfection, — a  manifest  token  of 
inadequacy  implied  in  that  very  word  revival  of  religion. 
Some  have  been  accustomed  to  regard  the  subject  of  reli- 
gious influence  too  much  in  the  light  of  a  series  of  revivals. 
Hence  they  pray  for  revivals,  they  strive  for  the  promotion 
of  revivals,  and  they  forget  to  pray  and  strive  for  that 
constant,  steady  and  enduring  power  of  Godliness,  which 
shall  be  as  the  shining  light  that  shineth  more  and  more 
unto  the  perfect  day.  But  the  imperfection  and  sinfulness 
of  man,  under  the  best  circumstances  hitherto,  teaches  us 
that  there  ivill  be  seasons  of  the  decline  of  piety.  In  such 
seasons  a  revival  is  the  object  to  be  aimed  at.  Had  it  not 
been  for  those  special  effusions  of  the  divine  spirit,  where, 
in  all  human  probability,  would  the  Churches  of  our  coun- 
try be  at  the  present  time  ?  Dead,  thrice  dead  and  plucked 
up  by  the  roots !  In  a  revival  of  religion,  there  will  always 
be  discovered  much  imperfection,  which  would  not  be 
exhibited,  under  a  constant  prevalence  of  the  life  of  Godli- 
ness. The  dead  man,  beginning  to  recover  his  lost  vitality, 
may  be  expected  to  discover  traces  of  painful  agony,  hardly 
less  than  distort  the  features  of  the  dying.  But  what  then  ? 
Should  we  prefer,  therefore,  that  the  placid  calmness  of 
death  should  never  be  disturbed  ?  So,  in  the  case  before 
us.     The   attendant   evils   are   real   evils,  and   should  be 


61 

checked,  and  watched  against,  and  prayed  against,  but  after 
all,  what  is  the  chaff  to  the  wheat  ? 

4  The  history  of  our  Church  teaches  us  to  be  active  and 
energetic,  and  self-sacrificing,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to 
beware  of  false  zeal,  and  disorderly  practices  in  the  promo- 
tion of  the  faith  which  we  love.  The  former  was,  under 
God,  the  cause  of  the  success  of  its  founders ;  the  latter 
was  their  grand  hindrance,  and  the  source  of  their  greatest 
discouragements.  An  apostle  bids  us  watch  and  be  sober, — 
watch  ;  never  suffer  ourselves  to  fall  asleep  at  our  post, — 
be  sober ;  avoid  all  false  heat  and  unbecoming  transports. 
They  that  sleep,  he  says,  sleep  in  the  night,  and  they  that 
be  drunken  are  drunken  in  the  night,  but  let  us  who  are  of 
the  day  be  sober.  Were  we  always  sober,  in  times  of 
peculiar  religious  interest,  we  should  not  be  exposed,  as  we 
now  too  often  are,  to  the  sudden  decay  and  desertion  of  the 
sacred  influence. 

We  have  received  this  Church  and  society,  my  brethren 
and  friends,  as  a  precious  legacy  from  your  worthy  ances- 
tors. Their  sacrifices  demand  of  us  that  we  preserve, 
improve  and  transmit  it.  Our  posterity  too,  have  a  claim 
upon  us  ;  for  the  rich  estate  was  meant  for  them  no  less  than 
for  us.  God  grant  that  we  may  not  prove  ourselves 
unmindful  of  our  trust. 

5.  Again,  the  history  of  this  Church  teaches  you,  (I 
almost  dread  to  say  it,  when  I  consider  the  imperfection  of 
my  own  services,  but  I  must  not  refrain,)  the  history  of 
this  Church  teaches  you,  never  to  be  satisfied  with  an 
unfaithful  ministry.  Be  candid,  always,  towards  those  who 
have  the  watch  over  you,  in  their  difficult  work,  knowing 
that  the  best  of  them,  no  less  than  yourselves,  are  compassed 
with  infirmities.  But,  O,  let  not  even  friendship,  and 
human  sympathy,  make  you  shrink  from  withdrawing  your 
support  and  confidence  from  such  as  do  not  preach  Christ 


52 

Jesus,  and  him  crucified,  with  zeal  and  fervor,  and  labor 
in  season  and  out  of  season  to  win  souls  to  Christ. 

In  closing  this  discourse  I  feel  that  I  am  sealing  up,  for 
the  final  account,  one  century  of  this  Church's  history. 
Another  century  will  roll  by,  and  who  will  celebrate  its 
close  ?  We  shall,  none  of  us,  be  here.  Where,  O  where ! 
will  our  immortal  souls  then  be  ?  Our  children,  too,  will 
have  passed  off  from  the  stage  of  life.  But  will  the 
Church  live?  It  will,  if  we  are  faithful  as  our  fathers 
were.  Other  voices  will  be  heard  in  its  songs,  and 
speak  the  message  of  the  Most  High  from  the  sacred  pulpit. 
Other  hands  will  break  the  bread  of  life.  But  if  the 
Church  still  lives ;  if,  having  prepared  our  own  souls,  by 
divine  grace,  and  those  of  our  immediate  descendants,  for 
the  Church  on  high,  and  done  our  duty  faithfully,  we  and 
they  shall  have  been  gathered  into  rest ;  with  Avhat  joy 
shall  we  look  down  from  the  heavenly  mansions,  as  the 
sainted  dead  now,  we  trust,  look  down  upon  us,  and  see 
our  children's  children,  here  preparing,  through  the  grace 
of  God,  to  join  the  same  general  assembly  and  Church  of 
the  first  born.     Amen  ! 


APPENBIX. 


(1)  The  anniversary  was  observed  on  the  day  mentioned  in  the  title 
page.  This  was  selected  with  reference  to  convenience.  The  weather 
was  exceedingly  stormy,  yet  a  numerous  audience  were  in  attendance. 
The  introductory  devotional  exercises  in  the  morning,  were  conducted  by 
Rev.  William  A.  Stearns,  of  Cambridgeport,  a  brother  of  the  pastor. 
After  the  sermon,  the  following  Hymn  was  sung,  composed  for  the  occa- 
sion by  Hon.  Georgk  Lunt,  a  member  of  the  society  : 

Thy  temple  stands,  oh  God  of  grace, 

Above  our  thought,  beneath  our  tread, 
Its  ample  floor,  unmeasured  space. 

Its  arch  with  worlds  unnumbered  spread. 

Yet  though  not  all  creation's  bound 

Thy  power  contains,  thy  glory  tells, 
Within  thy  earthly  courts  are  found 

The  places  where  thy  spirit  dwells. 

Thus  on  our  sires,  an  honored  race. 

Thy  dews  descended  like  the  rain. 
While  here  they  met  to  seek  thy  face, 

Nor  sent  a  prayer  to  Heaven  in  vain. 

Beneath  these  walls  how  oft  they  heard. 

From  fervent  heart  and  burning  tongue, 
Thy  sacred  truth,  thy  holy  word. 

Sustain  the  old  and  cheer  the  young  ! 

This  earthly  temple  of  thy  praise. 

How  glorious  and  how  dear  its  name  ! 
Thy  blessing  crowned  its  ancient  days. 

Thy  promised  blessing  stands  the  same. 

Built  on  that  Rock  in  Zion  laid. 

May  here  thy  Church  forever  rise, 
Thy  truth  its  deep  foundation  made, 

Its  hope  eternal  in  the  skies. 

5* 


54 

No  gorgeous  rites,  nor  shrines  of  gold, 

Within  these  sacred  precincts  be  ; 
But  grant  the  fervent  faith  of  old 

To  bind  us  closer,  Lord,  to  thee  ! 

May  here  while  ages  roll  away, 

Our  children's  children  all  appear, 
Here  love  to  learn  and  praise  and  pray, 

And  find  their  God,  their  Savior  here  ! 

The  services  of  the  afternoon  were  commenced  by  reading  a  letter  to 
the  Church  from  one  of  their  former  pastors.  Rev.  Dr.  Proudfit,  of  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.  Then  a  portion  of  the  preamble  to  the  original  Consti- 
tution of  the  Church,  setting  forth  the  views  of  the  founders,  was  read. 
After  a  prayer  for  a  divine  blessing  upon  the  solemn  transaction,  the 
Church  rose  and  publicly  renewed  their  covenant  with  God  and  one  an- 
other, in  the  words  originally  adopted  by  their  fathers,  and  to  which  the 
names  of  all  the  successive  members  have  been  signed.  Prayer  was  then  of- 
fered by  the  Rev.  John  March,  of  Belleville,  Newbury,  formerly  a  member 
of  the  Church.  After  this  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  was  adminis- 
tered by  Rev.  Jonathan  Greenleaf,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  a  descendant 
both  of  the  first  pastor,  and  also  of  one  of  the  first  members,  and  Rev. 
Daniel  Dana,  D.  D.,  who  had  been  its  pastor  during  twenty-six  years. 
Appropriate  hymns  were  sung  in  the  intervals  of  the  other  parts  of  the 
service. 

The  exercises  were  solemn  and  impressive,  and  the  Church,  we  trust, 
will  be  found  to  have  received  from  them  new  strength  to  enter  upon  the 
unknown  events  of  another  century. 

(a)  The  encouragement  referred  to  was  a  new  proposal  to  refer  the 
whole  matter  to  a  mutual  Council,  first  made  on  the  part  of  the  aggrieved, 
and  accepted  by  the  pastor;  then  made  in  a  somewhat  modified  form,  by  the 
pastor ;  and,  as  the  aggrieved  allege,  accepted  by  them.  The  Committee 
of  the  Church,  in  their  statement,  to  the  Council  subsequently  called, 
represented  the  aggrieved  as  having  refused  this  offer.  The  aggrieved, 
on  the  other  hand,  denied  the  representation,  and  declared  that  they 
offered  inform  the  following  written  declaration:  "June  6,1744.  In 
answer  to  a  proposal  made  us  by  our  Reverend  pastor,  at  the  last  meeting, 
we  now  offer  to  leave  all  difficulties  between  our  pastor  and  us  to  a  Council 
of  Churches,  mutually  chosen  by  our  pastor  and  us ;  or  to  a  Council  of 
Churches,  half  to  be  chosen  by  our  pastor  and  the  Church  who  adhere  to 
him,  and  half  by  us;  or  to  a  Council  to  be  chosen  half  by  the  aggrieved, 
and  half  by  the  rest  of  the  Church.  And  if  either  of  these  proposals  be 
accepted  of  or  consented  to,  we  desire  the  time  for  such  Council's  meet- 
ing may  now  be  appointed,  and  the  Churches  sent  to  as  soon  as   may   be. 

Instead  of  acting  directly  upon  this  very  explicit  offer,  the  Church 
passed  the  following  vote  : 


55 

"  At  a  legal  Church  hieeting  it  was  voted  unanimously  in  the  affirma- 
tive, June  6th,  1744, — That  whereas,  several  of  our  brethren  in  the  first 
Church  in  Newbury  have  separated  themselves  from  communion  with 
said  Cliurch,  it  is  desired  that  said  separated  brethren  would  give  in  their 
reasons  to  said  Church  why  or  for  what  reasons  they  have  separated,  at 
the  next  meeting ;  every  separate  member  to  give  in  his  reasons  in  partic- 
ular by  himself." 

At  the  next  meeting,  June  13th,  several  of  the  brethren  appeared  and 
gave  their  reasons,  but  the  Church  dissolved  the  meeting  without  passing 
a  vote.  The  proposal  of  the  pastor,  so  explicitly  accepted  and  renewed 
by  the  aggrieved,  was  not  acted  on,  yet  the  aggrieved  were  still  held 
chargeable  with  having  rejected  it. 

It  was  on  the  ground  of  a  supposed  rejection  of  this  proposal  that  the 
Council,  subsequently  called  by  the  Church  and  pastor,  declared  the 
conduct  of  the  aggrieved  and  that  of  the  exparte  Council  which  had  sanc- 
tioned their  proceedings,  irregular,' — of  course  on  the  ground  of  facts 
which  the  aggrieved  explicitly  deny,  and  of  which  their  own  account  is 
contained  in  the  text.  Of  the  result  of  the  Church's  Council  the  aggrieved 
say  :  "  This  Council  justified  the  pastor  further,  we  believe,  than  the 
Church  expected,  and  no  wonder,  considering  the  foundation  they  pro- 
ceeded on." 


(b)  The  following  account  is  copied  from  the  records  of  the  First  Church 

in  Newbury : 

"At  the  same  day,  (Feb.  11,  1745-6,)  the  Church  taking  into  con- 
sideration the  conduct  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Parsons,  of  Lyme,  in 
Connecticut,  in  preaching  to  a  number  of  the  brethren  withdrawn  from 
this  and  the  neighboring  Churches,  voted  as  follows  : 

"  1.  That  they  are  of  opinion  it  is  disorderly  and  matter  of  offence  to 
them  for  any  minister  to  officiate  as  a  minister  on  the  Lord's  day  among 
those  people  that  have  withdrawn  from  this  Church  and  the  Churches  in 
the  neighborhood. 

"  2.  That  it  is  their  duty  to  signify  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Jonathan 
Parsons,  that  as  a  Church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  they  are  offended  with 
him  for  his  officiating  on  Lord's  day  to  any  of  the  brethren  of  this  and  the 
neighboring  Churches. 

"  3.  That  if  he  does  not  refrain  it  is  their  duty  to  exhibit  a  complaint 
against  him,  as  walking  disorderly,  to  the  particular  Church  that  he  stands 
related  to. 

♦'  4.  That  inasmuch  as  the  brethren  withdrawn  from  us,  and  other 
Churches  in  the  neighborhood,  seem  disposed  to  have  a  minister  set  over 
them,  and  may  possibly  effect  it  under  their  present  circumstances,  though 
it  be  greatly  contrary  to  the  rule  and  order  of  the  Gospel,  and  inasmuch  as 
they  seem  to  affect  the  said  Mr.  Parsons,  who  by  reason  of  misconduct,  as 
we  understand,  has  rendered  himself  unacceptable  to  the  people  he  has 
had  the  charge  of,  that  it  is  their  duty  to  inquire  into  the  matter  of  his 
offence,  and  what  he  has  to  recommend  him  to  the  esteem  and  acceptance 
of  any  people  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel." 


56 

(c)  The  course  of  proceedings  at  Lyme  were  exceedingly  embarrafesing 
and  complicated.  A  pretty  just  view  of  the  merits  of  the  case  may  be  obtain- 
ed from  manuscript  documents  preserved  among  the  descendants  of  Mr. 
Parsons.  One  source  of  embarrassment  in  settling  the  difficulties,  arose 
from  the  fact  that  Mr.  Parsons,  at  the  request  of  his  people,  as  well  as  in 
conformity  to  his  own  judgment,  explicitly  renounced,  at  his  ordination, 
the  Saybrook  platform,  by  which  a  large  part  of  the  neighboring  Churches 
were  governed.  He  thought  that  Constitution  defective  in  several 
respects,  but  was  especially  averse  to  the  right  which  it  was  understood 
to  accord  to  the  civil  government  of  interfering  in  the  affairs  of  the  Church. 
The  peculiarity  of  his  position,  however,  gave  rise  to  many  misunder- 
standings. 

The  following  testimony  from  two  neighboring  ministers,  pastors  of  the 
two  other  parishes  in  the  same  place,  who  must  have  known  thoroughly 
all  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  from  the  beginning,  is  sufficiently 
explicit  and  full.  After  recapitulating  the  result  of  the  Council  they 
proceed  thus : 

"  Now  we,  the  subscribers,  ministers  of  Lyme,  above  said,  do  heartily 
join  in  the  recommendation  above  mentioned,  and  freely  declare  that 
we  verily  believe,  and  that  upon  much  acquaintance  with  the  whole 
affairs  of  the  long  subsisting  difficulties  that  have  been  in  that  Church 
and  society,  that  our  dear  brother,  Mr.  Parsons,  has  been  injuriously 
treated,  and  much  wronged  in  his  character,  by  some,  and  that  there  is 
no  just  bar,  that  we  know  of,  in  the  way  of  his  usefulness,  nor  in  the 
way  of  his  administering  as  a  minister  of  Christ  among  any  people  that 
shall  call  him  thereto,  as  he  hath  always  been  gladly  received  by  us 
and  our  Churches,  as  often  as  we  have  had  the  opportunity  of  his  occa- 
sional labors  among  us. 

GEORGE  GRISWOLD, 
GEORGE  BECKWITH. 

Lyme,  October  24,  1745." 

(d)  The  following  extract  from  Mr.  Parsons'journal,  will  serve  to  throw 
light  on  the  reasons  of  the  position  which  this  Church  at  first  assumed  : 

Sept.  12,  1746.  I  spent  most  of  the  day  with  Mr.  Jewett,  of  Rowley,  and 
Mr.  Daniel  Rogers,  of  Ipswich.  Had  much  discourse  with  them  about 
the  state  of  the  Churches,  and  particularly  about  the  state  of  this  Church. 
I  asked  them  what  it  was  proper  to  do.  Whether  it  was  best  to  seek  in  a 
public  way  for  the  communion  of  the  Churches  by  a  Council,  &c.  Mr. 
Jewett  replied,  that  he  did  not  see  any  necessity  for  it,  nor  any  advantage 
it  would  be  to  us  on  a  temporal  account,  because,  respecting  being  freed 
from  rates,  as  long  as  the  Court  were  of  the  same  way  of  thinking  as 
they  be  now,  they  will  find  means  enough  to  deny  any  petition  of  tliis 
people,  till  they  are  forced  to  grant  it;  and  then  if  we  should  call  a  Council 
and  ministers  should  come,  it  would  probably  break  their  own  Churches 
to  pieces,  and  if  they  run  such  a  risk  and  declared  us  a  well  established 
Church,  it  would  give  us  the  public  communion  of  but  few  Churches. 
But  if  we  were  united  to  go  forward  as  we  were,  a  little  while,  we  should 
find  prejudices  wear  off.     Mr.  Rogers  said  he  was  of  the  same  mind  in  the 


67 

main,  but  added  that  he  thought  it  our  bounden  duty  to  continue  as  we 
were,  independent  of  other  Churches  in  Church  discipline ;  for,  said  he,  it 
is  one  principle  that  your  Church  went  out  upon,  that  they  and  many 
others  were  oppressed,  and  the  discipline  of  the  Churches  so  sunk,  they 
could  not  have  any  further  relief.  Now,  said  he,  there  are  many  others 
that  are  oppressed,  and  stand  in  great  need  of  relief,  but  are  not  likely  to 
have  it  if  you  don't  help  them.  But  if  you  don't  abide  independent,  in 
point  of  discipline,  you  can't  relieve  them  ;  whereas  if  you  continue  as  you 
are,  you  may  soon  have  several  Churches,  round  about,  that  may  unite 
with  yours  in  a  consociation  or  presbytery,  which  will  be  much  better 
than  any  other  way. 

(e)  The  following  propositions  were  presented  and  severally  acted  upon  : 

Proposals  respecting  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jonathan  Parsons,  offered  to  the  new 
Church  and  Congregation  in  Newbury,  at  their  meeting  in  the  meeting- 
house, March  19,  1745,  viz  : 

1.  Whether  the  Church,  notwithstanding  all  those  representations, 
which  have  been  spread  abroad,  tending  to  disserve  Mr.  Parson's  charac- 
ter and  hurt  his  usefulness,  is  in  full  charity  with  him,  and  from  the 
judgment  of  the  Council,  now  read,  with  the  letters  recommendatory, 
whether  this  Church  is  fully  satisfied  that  his  moral,  religious  and  minis- 
terial character  is,  or  ought  in  justice  to  be  esteemed,  blameless  and 
unsullied  among  the  Churches  of  Christ.     Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

2.  Whether  the  Congregation  that  usually  meets  in  this  house  to  attend 
and  uphold  the  worship  of  God  here,  are  well  satisfied  from  the  judgment 
of  Council,  and  letters  recommendatory  now  read,  that  Mr.  Parsons'  moral 
character  ought  to  be  esteemed  blameless  and  good,  and  whether  they  so 
account  of  him,  as  of  a  minister  of  Christ.     Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

3.  Whether  the  congregation  that  usually  meets  in  this  house,  to  attend 
and  encourage  the  worship  of  God  here,  do  desire  Mr.  Parsons  to  settle 
among  them,  and  minister  in  holy  things,  as  a  minister  of  Christ  to  them, 
and  whether  they  will,  upon  condition  of  his  accepting  the  call  of  the 
Church  and  Congregation,  submit  themselves  to  his  administrations  in  this 
place — the  same  being  agreeable  to  the  faith  and  constitution  upon  which 
this  Church  is  settled.     Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

4.  Whether  this  Church  is  willing,  from  the  acquaintance  they  have 
with  Mr.  Parsons,  and  the  letters  from  the  ministers  and  churches  now 
read  to  them,  to  admit  him  to  their  communion,  in  all  the  special  ordi- 
nances of  the  Gospel,  to  esteem  him  as  one  of  the  members  of  the  body  ol 
Christ  in  a  particular  relation  to  this  Church,  as  one  in  good  standing, 
having  an  equal  right,  in  all  respects,  to  all  privileges  with  any  other 
member  of  the  Church.     Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

5.  Whether  this  Church  looks  upon  Mr.  Parsons,  already  authorized 
by  solemn  separation  to  the  work  of  the  Gospel  ministry,  to  do  the 
whole  work  of  a  Gospel  minister  in  any  particular  Church  of  Christ  that 
desires  the  same  of  him,  and  are  willing  to  put  themselves  under  his  pas- 
toral care.     Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

6.  Whether  this  Church  do  now  publicly  renew  their  call  to  Mr.  Parsons, 
desiring  him  to  take  the  oversight  of  this  part  of  Christ's  flock  in  particu- 
lar.    Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

7.  Whether  upon  consideration  that  Mr.  Parsons  does  publicly  accept  of 
their  call,  this  Church  do  submit  to  him  under  Christ,  as   their  pastor, 


58 

vested  with  a  Gospel  right  over  this  Church  to  read,  expound,  and  teach 
the  word,  to  administer  the  seals  of  the  new  covenant  to  theni,  and  the 
ordinance  of  hoi}'  discipline,  according  to  the  constitution  of  this  Church. 
Voted  in  the  affirmative. 

(/)  The  Church  early  entertained  the  design  of  uniting  itself  with  a 
regular  pr>-'sbytery.  On  the  fifth  of  April,  1746,  a  resolution  was  adopted 
to  that  effect ;  but  for  reasons  not  stated,  the  subject  was  at  a  subsequent 
meeting,  postponed.  In  the  month  of  September,  1748,  the  Church  voted 
unanimously  to  unite  with  the  Presbytery  of  Boston,  of  which  Mr.  Moor- 
head,  of  Boston,  and  Mr.  McGregoire,  were  prominent  members.  The 
record  of  this  vote  is  as  follows  : 

"  Sept.  15,  1748.  At  a  meeting  of  the  collective  body  of  the  Church, 
after  sermon  and  prayers,  it  was  debated  whether  all  were  freely  willing 
to  be  anne.xed  to  Air.  Moorhead's  presbytery,  and  after  discoursing,  in  love 
and  calmness  upon  it,  for  more  than  an  hour,  a  question  was  proposed  and 
deliberately  read  over,  three  times,  in  the  following  words,  viz  :  Whether 
upon  mature  deliberation  this  Church  does  consent  to  be  annexed  to  Mr. 
Moorhead's  presbytery,  in  case  said  presbytery  can  satisfy  the  elders  of  the 
Church  respecting  their  coming  off  from  the  presbytery  to  which  they 
formerly  belonged,  appear  really  desirous  of  receiving  us,  make  no  diffi- 
culty about  our  choosing  our  elders  annually,  don't  bind  any  respecting 
the  form  of  administering  and  receiving  the  sacraments,  appear  to  be 
hearty  friends  to  the  great  doctrines  of  Grace  as  contained  in  the  Westmin- 
ster Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  and  hearty  friends  to  the  power 
of  Godliness." 

The  vote  passed  unanimously,  and  the  next  spring  we  find  the  elders 
of  the  Church  appointing  one  of  their  number  as  a  representative  to  the 
presbytery  above  named. 

(ff)  In  a  petition  to  the  general  Court,  dated  October  29,  1748,  they  say 
as  follows  : 

"  Amongst  other  things  it  is  alleged  that  the  petitioners  are  of  the 
Presbyterian  persuasion.  Your  humble  petitioners  beg  leave  to  sug- 
gest that  they  never  intended  because  they  were  Presbyterians,  which 
respects  the  form  of  Church  government  only,  (according  to  the  general 
understanding  of  the  words,)  that  therefore  they  could  not  attend  the 
worship  of  God  in  a  Congregational  Church;  but  their  difficulties  are  of  a 
higher  nature  and  concern  doctrinal  points,  which  bind  their  consciences, 
otherwise,  upon  this  first  point,  they  had  never  troubled  your  excellencies 
and  honors." 

la  the  preface  to  their  platform  of  Government,  the  fathers  of  the 
Church  declare,  "  We  shall  readily  join  with  those  Churches  that  explicitly 
declare  they  have  not  departed  from  the  ancient  faith." 

In  the  year  1794, 

"  The  Church  voted  unanimously  that  we  still  adhere  to  the  Constitu- 
tion of  this  Church,  and  our  connexion  witii  the  presbytery,  and  desire 
further  to  hold  ministerial  and  Church  communion  with  such  other 
ministers  and  Churches  as  are   united  with  us  in  the  great  fundamental 


69 

doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  in  the  same  manner  as  heretofore  practised  by 
tliis  Church." 

In  conformity  with  these  principles,  this  Church  has  been  accustomed 
to  invite  her  sister  Churches  of  the  congregational  denomination,  to  set  in 
Council  with  the  Presbytery,  in  the  ordination  of  her  ministers,  and  to 
reciprocate  the  same  friendly  aid  in  answer  to  invitations  from  them.  She 
dismisses  and  recommends  her  members  freely  to  all  such  of  these 
Churches  as  are  sound  in  the  faith,  and  as  freely  receives  members  from 
them  on  their  recommendation. 

The  old  form  of  recommending  a  member  Was  as  follows  : 

"  Voted  to  recommend to  the  communion  of  the  Church  of  Christ 

in  sealing  ordinances  in  any  Christian  assembly  where  God,  in  his  provi- 
dence, may  call  him,  provided  they  adhere  to  the  doctrines  of  the 
reformation,  renouncing  Arrainianism  on  the  one  hand,  and  Antinomi- 
anism  on  the  other." 


(A)  The  application  from  the  brethren  from  the  third  Church,  was  first 
presented  June  9,  1746. 

"  The  brethren  chose  to  think  of  the  affair  a  little  while,  and  take  more 
opportunity  to  ask  advice  of  ministers.  Therefore,  it  was  desired  that 
Elders  John  Brown  and  Benjamin  Knight  should  go  to  Bradford,  where  a 
Council  was  to  set  the  next  week,  and  advise  with  some  of  the  minis- 
ters about  the  matter.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  direct  us  in  the  right  way, 
and  make  us  all  of  one  mind." — Parsons'  Journal. 

The  request  was  not  granted  till  the  16th  of  October  following. 


(?")  The  names  of  most  of  the  men  who  were  concerned  in  tlie  first  estab- 
lishment of  this  religious  society,  may  be  ascertained,  I  presume,  from  the 
following  subscription  paper,  copied,  without  the  sums  annexed,  from  the 
original,  by  John  Brown,  the  first  clerk  : 

"  Upon  the  mature  consideration  of  the  many  Difficultys  we  have  long 
laboured  under  on  Religious  accounts,  we  look  upon  it,  for  many  and 
weighty  Reasons,  our  Duty,  &  not  only  so,  but  that  it  would  be  much  for 
our  Spiritual  advantage  &  edification,  and  for  the  advancement  of  the 
Interest  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  among  us  to  unite  in  a  New  Society 
for  the  Settlement  of  a  Gospel  Ministry  among  us,  and  it  having  pleased 
God  in  his  Providence  to  give  us  an  opportunity  of  Hearing  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Jonathan  Parsons  whereby  we  have  had  some  tastes  of  his  Ministerial 
abilities  and  Qualifications,  from  which  we  can't  but  think  if  it  should  please 
God  to  incline  him  to  settle  among  us  in  the  Ministry,  we  have  a  pros- 
pect opened  to  us  of  obtaining  these  blessed  Ends,  looking  upon  it  allso 
our  Duty  to  provide  an  handsome  suitable  Support  for  such  a  Ministry  : 
Upon  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons  accepting  our  Invitation,  We  the  Subscribers 
do  hereby  for  ourselves  covenant  engage  &  agree  to  pay  for  the 
Support  of  the  said  Rev'd  Mr.  Parsons  yearly  &  every  year  while  he 
continues  in  the  Ministry  among  us  :  the  several  Sums  which  we  have 
herein  subscribed  for.  We  also  covenant  and  agree  to  pay  towards  his 


60 


Settlement  the  several  Sums  which  we  have  suhscrlbed  for,  as  they  are 
Bet  in  the  following  Lists  which  are  both  in  the  Old  Tenor  aa  witness  our 
hands  affixed  thereto — 


Newbury,  Nov'r  2oth,  ]745. 


Thomas  Pike, 
Timothy  Toppan, 
Moses  Bradstreet, 
Enoch  Sawyer, 
Enoch  Titcomb, 
Charles  Peirce, 
Daniel  Noyes, 
Richard  Toppan, 
John  Brown, 
William  Brown, 
Nathaniel  Atkinson, 
Joseph  Atkinson, 
Edward  Presbury, 
Enoch   Toppan, 
Joseph  Hidden, 
Ebenezer  Little, 
Jonathan  Beck, 
Benjamin  Rogers, 
Spencer  Bennett, 
Benj.  Moody, 
Stephen  Kent, 
Parker  Noyes, 
Enoch  Titcomb,  Jr., 
Joshua  Grecnleaf, 
John  Grcenleaf, 
Timothy  Greenleaf, 
Robert  Mitchel, 
Benj.  Frothingham, 
George  Goodhue, 
Joseph  Goodhue, 
Isaac  Johnson, 
Jonathan  Knight, 
William  Noyes, 
Daniel  Harris, 


Benj.  Norton, 
Samuel  Cresey, 
Jonathan  Greenleaf, 
Nehemiah  Wheeler, 
William  Harris, 
Benj.  Peirce, 
Simon  Noyes, 
Samuel  Toppan, 
Samuel  Long, 
Moses  Coffin, 
Jonathan  Plumer, 
John  Plumer,  Jr., 
Samuel  Harris, 
Silvanus  Plumer, 
John  Poor, 
Henry  Titcomb, 
John  Berry, 
Philip  Combes, 
Jacob  Knight, 
Moses  Peirce, 
Nathaniel  Knap, 
Moses  Todd, 
Eleazear  Keazear, 
John  Fisher, 
Zechariah  Nowell, 
Joseph  Bayley, 
Joseph  Cheney, 
James  SafTord, 
Cutting  Pettingle,  Jr., 
Henry  Lunt,  Jr., 
Cutting  Pettingle, 
Samuel  Pettingle, 
Moses  Pettingle, 
Richard  Hale, 


Samuel  Hale, 
Moses  Noyes, 
Daniel  Gooden, 
Nathan  Peabody, 
John  Lowden, 
Ralph  Cross, 
John  Norton, 
John  Harris, 
Joshua  Combes, 
Joshua  Greenleaf,  Jr., 
Nathan   Brown, 
Lemuel  Jenkins, 
Nicholas  Pettingle, 
Daniel  Woster, 
Joseph  Couch  Jr., 
Daniel  Lunt,  Jr., 
John  Harbut, 
Samuel  Shackford, 
Alexander  Morrison, 
Henry  Sewall, 
Edmund  Morse, 
Daniel  Richards, 
Daniel  Wells, 
Samuel  Todd, 
Moses  Ordway, 
Daniel  Sanborn, 
Benj.  Peirce,  Jr., 
Joseph  Russell, 
James  Mackmillion, 
Samuel  Peirce, 
Benj.  Knight, 
Bez'd  Knight, 
Robert  Cole, 
John  Pike,  Jr. 


A  true  Copy  from  the  Originall.     Taken  this  16th  of  Dec 'r,  1745. 
^s  Attest.  JOHN  BROWN,  Clerk. 


(j)  In  an  almanac  journal,  kept  by  Mr.  Caleb  Greenleaf,  are  to  be  found 
the  following  entries  : 

1756.  "  July  5,  we  began  to  raise  our  meeting-house  and  finished  it  the 
7th,  and  not  one  oath  heard  and  nobody  hurt."  "On  the  7th,  the  Rev. 
John  Morehead,  of  Boston,  preached  the  first  sermon  in  it  from  2d  Chroni- 
cles, 7  :  12.  The  first  sermon  preached  in  our  new  meeting-house  was  on 
Aug.  15.  The  te.xt  was  the  whole  of  122d  Psalm."  1759.  »  Sept  10,  Mr. 
Samuel  Pettingell  fell  from  the  steeple  of  Mr.  Parsons'  meeting-house, 
which  was  this  year  erected,  and  was  killed  instantly." — Coffin's  History. 


61 

(k)  The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Parsons  to  Mr.  Sproat,  contains  the 
only  account  I  have  seen  of  this  design  : 
"  Rev.  and  Dear  Brother  : 

An  late  exchange  has  had  a  wonderful  influence  among  many  of  our 
people,  which  has  produced  the  following  proposals,  for  the  trial  of  the 
minds  of  the  congregation,  viz  :  '  Proposals  for  calling  and  settling  the 
Rev.  Mr.  James  Sproat  as  colleague  pastor  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons, 
of  Newburyport.  Conditions. — That  the  building  in  Newbury  first  par- 
ish be  finished  with  as  many  pews  in  proportion  to  its  bigness,  as  are 
in  Mr.  Parsons'  meeting-house.  The  finishing  to  be  by  the  sale  of 
the  pews  under  the  conduct  of  that  part  of  the  congregation  living 
in  said  parish.  2d,  that  the  taxation  of  pews,  polls  and  estates  in  said 
new  building,  or  belonging  to  it,  shall  lacar  the  same  proportion  with 
that  in  the  other  house.  3d,  that  said  Messrs.  Parsons  and  Sproat  be 
esteemed  as  ministers  equally  belonging  to  both  houses,  they  agreeing  as 
to  times  of  preaching  in  the  one  and  the  other.  4th,  that  the  whole  body 
be  one  particular  Church,  governed  as  Mr.  Parsons'  has  been  heretofore, 
and  that  the  proportionable  part  of  the  elders  be  always  among  those  that 
belonged  to  said  first  parish,  being  chosen  by  the  whole  body.  5th,  that 
those  who  do  or  may  belong  to  either  of  said  houses,  do  submit  themselves 
to  a  taxation,  as  mentioned  above,  for  an  equal  support  of  both  the  minis- 
ters. Dated  Newburyport,  October  26,  1767.  The  subscribers  hereby 
declare  their  approbation  of  the  proposal  of  such  settlement,  and  of  the 
condition  above  mentioned,  and  desire  the  affair  may  be  prosecuted.' 

The  above  is  now  prosecuting,  and  it  is  desired  you  would  not  engage 
with  any  other  people  for  four  weeks  from  the  date  of  this  letter.  After  all 
I  can't  advise  anything  in  my  diflicult  situation,  but  can  assure  you  no  man 
would  be  more  agreeable  as  colleague  than  you." 

From  a  comparison  of  dates,  lam  led  to  suppose  that  the  new  house  refer- 
red to  in  this  letter,  was  the  one  described  by  Coffin  in  his  history,  as  hav- 
ing been  raised  and  boarded  July,  1766,  opposite  the  old  meeting-house  in 
the  first  parish  in  Newbury,  and  which  was  never  finished,  but  fell  to  the 
ground  in  a  violent  storm,  February,  1771.  Many  of  the  movers  in  that 
project  were,  it  seems,  members  of  Mr.  Parsons'  society,  held  to  the  sup- 
port of  a  ministry  in  the  First  Parish,  which  they  conscientiously  disap- 
proved. Mr.  Parsons'  Journal  shows  that  much  disorder  prevailed  in  the 
religious  affairs  of  the  two  towns  about  this  period. 


'  (I)  The  character  of  Mr.  Parsons  had  some  marked  faults  as  well  as  mark- 
ed excellencies.  Tradition  says  he  was  at  times  exceedingly  passionate,  but 
that  when  the  first  impulse  was  over,  no  man  could  be  more  penitent.  An  an- 
ecdote like  this  has  been  related  of  him.  On  one  occasion  a  bill  was  presented 
him  for  payment,  which  at  first  struck  him  as  exorbitant,  and  he  very  an- 
grily and  peremptorily  refused.  No  sooner,  however,  had  the  claimant 
returned  to  his  place  of  business  than  Mr.  Parsons  entered,  and  the  follow 
ing  dialogue  ensued  :  "  Have  you  seen  Mr.  Parsons  this  morning  ?  "  "  Yes, 
certainly,  I  saw  you  at  your  house,  and  presented  your  bill."  "It  wasn't 
Mr.  Parsons,  it  was  the  devil.     I'll  settle  the  till.  '     It  is  presumed  that  by 

6 


62 

thus  charging  his  excited  feelings  to  Satanic  agency,  Mr.  Parsons  diil  not 
intend  to  excuse  but  rather  to  humble  himself. 


(m)  The  following  extracts  from  Grcenleaf 's  "  Sketches  of  Ecclesiasti- 
cal History,"  will  serve  to  throw  some  light  upon  the  early  Presbyterial  re- 
lations of  this  Church. 

"  The  first  Presbytery  in  New  England,  was  constituted  in  Londonderry, 
April  16,  1745,  by  Rev.  John  Morehead  of  Boston,  Rev.  David  M'Gregor 
of  Londonderry,  and  Rev.  Robert  Abercrombie  of  Pelham,  with  James 
M'Kean,  Alexander  Conkey  and  James  Heughs,  elders.  It  was  called  the 
'  Boston  Presbytery.'  "  In  three  years,  they  were  joined  by  Rev.  Jonathan 
Parsons  of  Newburyport,  and  after  that,  by  one  or  two  others,  and  so  con- 
tinued for  nearly  ten  years.  Tliere  were  a  considerable  number  of  Presby- 
terian Churches,  lying  on  both  sides  of  tlie  Merrimack,  in  JNIassachusetts  and 
New  Hainpsliire,  and  a  few  in  Maine.  The  presbyterial  records  appear  to 
have  been  regularly  kept  till  1751.  A  chasm  then  appears,  and  nothing  is 
recorded  in  the  original  book  until  Oct.  24,  1770.  The  Presbytery  at  this 
time  consisted  of  twelve  congregations.  Measures  were  taken  for  dividing 
it  into  three,  and  forming  a  Sj^nod.  After  more  than  four  years,  during 
which  some  others  were  added  to  the  number,  at  a  meeting  at  Seabrook, 
May  31,  1775,  a  division  was  amicably  agreed  on  as  follovv's  :  tliat  Messrs. 
Jonathan  Parsons  of  Newburyport,  Nathaniel  Whitaker,  D.  D.  of  Salem, 
Samuel  Perley  of  Seabrook,  Alexander  M'Lean  of  Bristol,  Maine,  and  the 
congregation  at  Boston,  then  vacant  by  the  death  of  Rlr.  Morehead,  together 
with  Rev.  Benjamin  Balch,  and  the  vacancies  within  their  bounds  be  the 
'  Eastern  Presbytery,'  called  the  '  Presbytery  of  Salem.'  That  Messrs.  Da- 
vid M'Gregor  of  Londonderry,  Daniel  Mitchell  of  Pembroke,  Simon  Wil- 
liams of  Windham,  and  John  Strickland  of  Oakham,  with  the  congregation 
at  Petersburgh,  and  the  other  vacancies  within  their  bounds  be  the  middle 
presbytery,  called  the  Presbytery  of  Londonderry.  That  Messrs.  John 
Houston  and  Moses  Baldwin,  with  their  congregations  at  Bedford  and  King- 
ston, the  vacant  congregations  of  Blandford,  Pelham  and  Colrain,  with 
Aaron  Hutchinson,  Nathan  Merril,  George  Gilmore,  and  Joseph  Patrick, 
candidates,  be  the  western  presbytery,  called  the  Presbytery  of  Palmer. 
The  three  presbyteries  being  thus  organized  were  then  formed  into  one 
body  called  the  Synod  of  New  England,  and  held  their  first  meeting  at  Lon- 
donderry, September  4,  1776. 

A  few  years  previous  to  this,  the  Rev.  John  Murray  had  removed  from 
Philadelphia  and  settled  at  Bootiibay,  and  v/ith  Rev.  Mr.  Prince  of  Barring- 
ton,  and  Rev.  Mr.  M'Ewins  of  New  Market,  formed  another  Presbytery,  but 
no  connexion  was  ever  formed  between  this  body  and  the  Synod  of  New- 
England." 

The  Presbytery  last  referred  to,  was  called  the  Presbytery  of  the 
Eastward,  and  with  this  Mr.  Parsons  and  his  Churcli,  having  withdrawn 
from  their  connection  with  the  former  body,  now  became  united. 


(n)  At  the  close  of  the  first  half  century  from  his  settlement.  Rev.  Dr. 
Diina,  being  then  pastor  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  town, 
d-liverod,  in  compliance  with  a  special  request,  a  very  excellent  and  appro- 


6S 

priate  discourse,  the  following  correspondence  having-  previously  passed  Ije- 
tween  him  and  the  pastor  and  session  of"  his  former  charge  : 

Newburyport,  Nov.  23,  1844. 
The  Rev.  Daniel  Dana,  D.  D. 

Dear  Sir, — With  the  full  concurrence,  as  we  believe,  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church  and  Society,  to  whose  service  in  the  gospel,  the  energies 
of  your  youth  were  devoted,  we  present  you  our  sincere  thanks  for  the 
very  appropriate  and  excellent  discourse  delivered  at  our  place  of  worship, 
on  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  of  your  ordination. — Believing  that  its 
usefulness  may  be  still  further  extended,  we  would  also  respectfully 
request  a  copy  for  publication. 

J.  F.  STEARNS,  Pastor  of  the  Church. 
THOMAS  M.  CLARK,  )  „         .,,        ^ .,     c,      • 
PAUL  SIMPSON  \  Committee  ot  the  Session. 


To  the  Reverend  Pastor,  and  the  Session  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

My  Dear  Brethren, — As  your  cordial  invitation,  to  preach  a  semi- 
centennial sermon  in  your  house  of  worship,  left  me  no  choice,  so  your 
present  request,  though  dictated,  probably,  by  a  too  partial  judgment,  is 
equally  decisive  with  me.  I  therefore  submit  the  discourse,  with  all  its 
imperfections,  to  your  disposal. 

Whether  it  shall,  or  shall  not  be  found  worthy  of  the  public  attention,  it 
will  at  least  signify  to  the  beloved  people  of  my  former  and  my  present 
charge,  what  were  the  first,  the  last,  and  the  dearest  wishes  of  their  affec- 
tionate pastor,  in  their  behalf. 

Believe  me,  my  dear  brethren,  very  sincerely  yours, 

DANIEL  DANA. 

Newburyport,  Nov.  25,  1844. 

In  the  evening  of  the  same  day  there  was  a  delightful  gathering,  at  the 
house  of  Dr.  Dana,  of  friends  from  all  religious  societies  and  denominations 
among  us,  who  thronged  thither  to  pay  him  their  respects  and  congratula- 
lations.  Few,  it  is  believed,  went  empty  handed,  and  among  the  sons  of 
Newburyport  in  other  places,  some  who  could  not  be  present,  claimed  the 
privilege  of  sending  their  free  will  offering. 


(o)  The  settlement  of  all  difnculties  previously  existing  between  this 
Church  and  the  First  Church  in  Newbury  is  due  chiefly  to  the  efforts  of  the 
present  pastor  of  that  Church  the  Rev.  Leonard  Withington.  Unwilling  to 
take  the  charge  of  a  people  with  whom  any  of  the  neighboring  Churches 
were  not  in  full  charity,  he  insisted  before  calling  the  Council  for  his  ordina- 
tion, that  an  effort  should  be  made  to  secure  amicable  relations  between  the 
two  Churches.  Accordingly  committees  were  appointed  on  both  sides,  and 
after  mutual  conference  and  investigation  the  following  transactions  took 
place. 

By  The  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Newburyport, 

"  Voted,  that  from  a  careful  examination  of  the  records,  it  docs  not  appear 
that  this  Ciiurch  has  at  any  time,  recent  or  remote,  aflixod   any  ecclesias- 


64 

tical  censure  to  the  First  Church  in  Newbury,  or  to  any  individuals  belong- 
ing to  it." 

Tliereupon  the  First  Church  in  Newbury, 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Church,  October  16,  1816,  Voted,  That  all  misun- 
derstandings and  infelicities  whatever,  which  may  have  existed  between 
this  Church  and  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Newburyport,  be  from 
this  time  buried  in  perpetual  oblivion,  and  we  on  our  part  cheerfully  agree 
and  engage  that  the  two  Churches  shall  mutually  treat  and  be  treated  by 
each  other  as  Christian  Churches,  agreeably  to  the  principles  of  the  gospel 
and  the  established  usages  of  the  Churches  of  New  England." 

On  the  same  day  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Newburyport  passed 
the  same  vote  unanimously  in  the  same  words,  and  communicated  the  lact 
to  the  First  Church  in  Newbury  by  their  committee  as  follows  : 

"  Newburyport,  Oct.  17,  1816. 

Dear  Sir, — It  is  with  much  pleasure  that  I  can  inform  you  that  I  am  en- 
trusted by  the  First  Presbyterian  Cliurch  in  this  place  to  give  you  notice 
that  said  Church  unanimously  adopted  the  vote  recommended  to  them  by 
their  committee  relative  to  an  amicable  understanding  with  your  Church, 
which  I  hope  will  be  of  long  continuance  and  for  the  glory  of  God  in  the 
building  up  of  his  kingdom. 

With  sentiments  of  esteem  and  affection, 

I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  brother, 

THOMAS  M.  CLARK. 

Hon.  Eben  March,  &c." 

Since  the  adoption  of  this  mutual  agreement,  no  Churches  have  been 
more  happy  and  undisturbed  in  their  fellowship  than  this  once  rebellious 
daughter  and  offended  parent. 

(p)  The  number  of  names  signed  to  the  covenant  at  its  first  adoption,  was 
46,  viz  :  24  males  and  22  females.  The  following  statistical  table  will  show 
the  whole  number  who  have  been  admitted  during  the  ministry  of  eacli  of 
the  several  pastors,  with  the  annual  average  during  each,  omitting  fractions. 


Ministers. 

JYo    Yrs. 

Whole  ^o. 

Jinn.  Av. 

Parsons, 

30 

303 

10 

Murray, 

12 

88 

7 

Dana, 

26 

208 

8 

Williams, 

6 

8!) 

15 

Proudfit, 

51-2 

218 

39 

Present  Pastor, 

10 

164 

16 

The  whole  number,  as  far  as  can   be  ascertained,  during  the  century,  is 
1160. 


^aJL^  Co^tt^  tCU^yci.^ 


■\T 


WITHINGTON'S 

<^  R  M  O  N, 

FOR  Tiin 

0    HIINDREDTII   ANNIVERSARY 

OF   THE    STANDING    OF  TITK 

ON  ITS    PRESKNT   SITE. 


'X 


^ 


SERMON 


TWO    HUNDREDTH   ANNIVERSARY 


OF   THE    STANDING   OF   THE 


M  mmm  m  mm)mm^ 


ON  ITS   PRESENT  SITE 


©s^(D32iE  m,  nm. 


PABIOB  OF  SAID  CHURCH. 


UBNUBK  TIIEKEFOKE  TO   ALL  THEIR  DrKS.— St.  Pau!. 


NEWBUKYPORT : 

ENOCH     HALEjJK.,     TKlNTElt,      COUKIEU     PKESS 
1846. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  mcmbera  of  the  First  Parish  in  Newbury,  held  this  day,  Voted,  that 
the  thanks  of  this  Society  be  presented  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Witiiington,  for  his  interesting  and 
instructive  Sermon  delivered  this  day.  Voted,  tliat  Jlessrs.  D.  Colnian,  E.  Coffin,  and  R. 
Tenney,  be  a  Committee  to  request  a  copy  for  the  press. 

WILLIAM  THURSTON,  Clerk. 
Newbury,  Oct.  20,  1&46. 

Rev.  Leonard  Withixgtow; 

Dear  Sir, — Agreeable  to  a  vote  of  the  members  of  your  Society,  the  undersigned  dc 
present  you  their  thanks  for  your  Sermon  (delivered  on  the  20th  of  October,  1846)  and  do 
respectfully  request  a  copy  for  the  press. 

Daniel  Colman,    ) 
RiCHAKD  CorriN,  >  Comtaittee. 
Richard  Tesnet,^ 
Newbury,  Oct.  27,  1S46. 


To  th»  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of  the  First  Parish  in  Newbury: 

I  regret  that  some  of  the  subjects  touched  on  in  this  discourse  demand  a'  volume 
rather  than  a  few  lines;  particularly  the  history  of  toleration  and  its  rise  in  HoJIand.  No 
justice  can  be  done  the  subj  ect,  or  me,  without  remembering,  I  have  merely  hinted  a  fact 
which  long  research  might  prove.  But  I  commit  the  discourse  to  your  disposal,  merely 
reminding  the  candid  reader  that,  in  such  sermons,  brevity  is  hardly  ever  regarded  as  an 
imperfection.  With  great  respect 

I  sobseribe  myself 

Your  Friend  and  Pastor, 

LEONARD  WITHINGTON. 
To  Messrs. — 

Daniel  Colman,   ^ 
Richard  Coffin,  >  Committee/ 
Richard  Tknnkt,) 
Get.  mhf  1846. 


SERMON. 


PSALM  XCIX,   8.  9. 

Thou  answeredst  them  0  Lord,  our  God  :  Thou  wast  a  God  that  foroav- 
£ST  Them,  though  thou  tookest  Vengeance  of  theik  Inventions.  Exalt  the 
Lord  ouk  God,  and  Worship  at  his  holy  hill;  for  the  Lord  our  God  is  Holy. 

The  veneration  with  which  we  look  back   on  our  an- 
cestors, as  well  as  the  affection  which  attaches  us  to  a  par- 
ticular region  of  country,  is  a  strong  feeling,  implanted  in 
our  hearts  by  Providence,  and  there  are  occasions  when  it 
needs  to  be  regulated  rather  than  increased.    Pride,  if  it  be 
ever  lawful,  becomes  honest  when  we  look  back  on  an- 
3  cestors  to  whom,  under  God,  we  owe  half  our  virtue  and 
^,  nearly  all  our  happiness.     We  hear  of  Solon ;  we  give  him 
^  the  purest  praise.     And  our  fathers  were  men,  who   laid 
.  the  foundation  of  an  empire ;  they  combined  religion  with 
government;  piety  with  learning;  and  opened  the  foun- 
tain, whose  ever  flowing  waters  are   to  become  a  river* 
nourishing  the  trees,  whose  fruit  and  branches  are  to  give 
pleasure  and  aliment  to  all  who  behold  their  beauty,  or  sit 
under  their  shade. 

The  praises,  however,  bestowed  on  the  Puritans  have 
not  always  been  discriminating.  They  are  our  fathers ; 
and  we  have  been  sometimes  led  into  the  amiable  error 
of  over-rating  their  virtues  and  turning  our  eyes  away 
from  their  faults.  If  our  partiality  terminated  in  specula- 
tive admiration,    it  might  be  forgotten  and  pardoned.     But 


we  are  strongly  tempted  to  imitate  what  wo  admire ;  we 
are  temptated  also  to  compensate  the  neglect  of  some  vir- 
tues, by  the  cheaper  duty  of  praising  them  in  our  ances- 
tors ;  just  as  the  scribes  and  pharisees,  built  the  tombs  of 

THE  PROPHETS  AND  GARNISHED  THE  SEPULCHRES  OF  THE  RIGHTE- 
OUS. Men  are  sometimes  led  blindly  to  adore  in  the  past 
those  very  virtues  which  they  are  most  lacking  in,  in  their 
own  example.  At  any  rate,  the  best  praise  is  that  which 
is  found  the  more  just,  the  more  it  is  examined,  and  will 
last  as  long  as  truth  itself  Our  text  is  applicable  to  our 
fathers.  No  doubt  God  led  them  to  this  wilderness  ;  he 
employed  them  in  a  very  important  work — he  took  them 
away  from  the  feudahsm  of  the  old  world;  he  sent  them, 
out,  as  he  sent  Abram  to  Canaan,  to  this  distant  continent ; 
he  employed  them  in  building  up  a  new  system  of  gov- 
ernment and  religion ;  he  laid  his  ordaining  hands  on  them 
for  that  work ;  he  gave  them  all  the  virtues  which  he  saw 
necessary,  and  he  allowed  some  of  the  errors  which  his 
own  deep  wisdom  sometimes  condescends  to  use  in  bring- 
ing about  its  mighty  purposes.  In  a  word,  our  text  was 
true  of  them  as  it  was  of  a  remarkable  people  of  old.  Thou 
WAST  A  God  that  forgavest  them  ;  though  thou  tookest 
Vengeance  of  their  Inventions  ;  that  is,  they  had  not  faults 
wliicli  merciful  justice  did  not  forgive,  and  they  had  in- 
ventions which  time  and  experience  must  sweep  away. 

New  England  owes  its  existence  to  the  faults  of  the  re- 
formation. When  we  read  the  history  of  that  remarkable 
event  our  sympathy  is  enlisted  with  the  reformers ;  we 
admire  their  fortitude ;  their  zeal ;  their  sincerity  ;  their 
scorn  of  tyrants  and  their  reverence  for  God.  Our  feel- 
ings inform  us  where  they  ought  to  have  stopped;  and  we 
regret  deeply  when  we  see  the  beauty  and  the  progress 
of  the  work  marred  bythe  dissentions  of  good  men.  O,  if 
Queen  Ehzabeth  had  had  a  little  more  earnest  piety ;  if 
her  bishops  had  been  a  Uttle  more  conciUating  and  their 
measures  more  mild ;  if  the  puritans  themselves  had  been 


less  zealous  about  the  surplice,  and  a  little  more  men  of 
the  world, — what  a  beautilul  edifice  of  unity  and  wisdom 
might  have  sprung  up.  How  would  the  mouths  of  gain- 
sayers  have  been  stopped  ;  and  how  powerful  would  have 
been  the  action  of  protestantism  on  the  heart  of  all  its  foes! 
A  corrupt  church  might  have  been  overthrown ;  and  the 
stream  of  pious  influence,  united  in  one  channel  and  flow- 
ing in  one  direction,  might  have  sweetened  the  whole 
ocean  and  pervaded  the  whole  earth.  What  a  divine 
unity ;  what  a  blessed  eft'ect !  Such  are  our  theoretic 
dreams.  But  God's  ways  are  not  our  ways.  It  is  his 
will  that  the  Church  should  be  torn  by  dissension  and  his 
people  thrive  by  persecution.  He  loves  a  httle  flock; 
and  the  splendid  chandeliers  that  man's  mvention  devis- 
es to  light  his  temple,  are  shivered  by  the  tempest  which 
his  justice  raises,  whenever  we  open  the  doors.  It  was 
these  contests  of  the  protestants  that  planted  New  Eng- 
and.  They  came  to  settle  on  these  shores  under  angry 
skies ;  they  crossed  an  angry  ocean  ;  they  brought  with 
them  the  seeds  of  an  angry  religion;  and,  though  they 
were  favored  with  the  mercy,  yet  they  sometimes  met 
the  frowns  of  an  angry  God. 

Thus  was  New  England  cradled  in  religious  dessension ; 
she  was  born  in  a  vortex,  or  to  speak  more  fully  she  owed 
her  origin  to  that  deep  religious  feeling  which  is  lar  more 
favorable  to  energy  than  to  peace.  We  must  take  our 
blessings  in  that  exact  combination  which  Providence  pre- 
sents them  to  us.  We  hook  up  the  fish  from  the  stormy 
ocean  ;  the  nuts,  which  grow  upon  the  tall  trees,  are  shak- 
en down  to  us  by  the  violent  wind  ;  and  even  the  rose  it- 
self blooms  on  the  thorn.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that 
the  soft  civilities  which  spring  up  in  still  life  were  to  be 
found  among  ardent  spirits,  whose  only  recreation  was 
prayer  and  meditation  ;  and  whose  self-denial  was  willing 
to  cross  an  ocean  to  found  an  empire.  At  any  rate.  New 
England  from  her  very  commencement  was  shaken  by 


religions  disunion.  The  everlasting  question  of  uniting,  the 
rights  of  conscience  with  the  unity  and  welfare  of  the 
Church  ;  the  antinomian  tendencies  of  a  liigh  orthodoxy  ; 
the  over-action  of  individual  zeal,  the  excesses  of  that  theo- 
PATHY  which  is  separated  from  the  principle  of  obedience ; 
the  individuality  which  will  burst  out  when  men  are  free  ; 
the  delicate  hne  between  the  departments  of  muncipal  law 
and  private  morality  ;  all  these  questions — perhaps  some 
of  them  not  even  yet  solved,  agitated  the  public  mind  to 
its  very  centre.  They  came  to  this  shore  to  enjoy  peace ; 
but  reformation  is  a  series  of  questions  which  seem  to  ex- 
ist in  an  everlasting  chain.  How  can  you  have  peace 
when  every  impetuous  Jehu,  yokes  his  chariot  and  whips 
his  horses,  and  says  to  every  wise  man   that  meets  him ; 

WHAT  HAST  THOU  TO  DO  WITH  PEACE?       TuRN  THEE  BEHIND  ME. 

This  ancient  parish  may  be  considered  as  the  very  con- 
centration of  the  character  of  New  England.  Here  was 
found,  as  in  a  miniature,  with  lines  not  the  less  strong  for 
their  littleness,  all  its  virtues  and  all  its  faults.  The  first 
parish  of  Newbury  gives  abundant  proofs,  in  its  written 
records,  that  it  preferred  strenuous  hberty  to  peaceful 
bondage  ;  that  it  could  attend  on  the  ordinances  and 
hearken  to  the  counsels  of  a  minister,  and  yet  resist  him ; 
pay  him  his  salary  very  punctually;  take  off  the  hat  when- 
ever it  met  him,  with  the  most  conventional  reverence, 
and  yet  draw  the  line  where  they  supposed  justice  and 
encroachment  met ;  and  defend  their  purposes  with  the 
most  pious  obstinacy.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact,  even  in  the 
days  of  Parker,  that  a  contention  was  carried  on  for  twen- 
ty-five years  with  both  the  clergymen,  for  the  rights  of 
the  Church,  which  many  of  the  people  thought  invaded. 
Various  decisions  of  the  court  were  had  on  the  subject ; 
several  against  the  popular  side  of  the  question; 
until  finally  the  people  carried  their  point;  all  the  Avhile 
maintaining  order  and  attending  on  the  preaching.  *  Such 

*    See  !\  very  curious  accouut  of  this    controversy,    in  Mr.  Coffin's  very  ample,  very 
iinpnrtiiil  und  very  intcrt'stiiij;  history  of  Newbury,  page  72  and  onward. 


is  New  Englandism ;  such  is  liberty  as  developed  in  this 
part  of  the  world  ;  a  sober  principle ;  revering  God,  but 
scorning  the  aggressions  of  man ;  definite  in  its  aim ; 
rather  obstinate  in  its  purposes ;  willing  to  be  led  but  im- 
possible to  be  dIuven,  and  even  in  its  most  violent  resistance 
of  authority  preserving  the  love  of  order  and  the  reverence 
for  rehgion. 

It  seems  from  the  very  first  that  this  parish  and  its  cler- 
gy, had  a  little  tincture  of  a  more  hberal  doctrine,  than  was 
prevalent  in  the  country.  This  appears  from  several  con- 
siderations,— 1st  that  Parker  was  the  scholar  of  the  mild 
Archbishop  Usher ;  2d  that  he  was  dealt  with  and  visited  by 
his  brethern  in  what  was  called  the  third  way  of  communi- 
on^ for  his  suspected  heresy ;  3d,  the  Catechism  published 
by  Mr  Noyes,  his  colleague  and  kinsman,  was  a  remarka- 
bly cautious  one,  stating  none  of  the  doctrines  of  Calvin- 
ism in  their  most  offensive  terms.  At  any  rate,  the  seeds  of 
Arminianism  were  early  sown  in  this  country.  This  par- 
ish in  a  later  day,  led  the  way.  It  may  be  proper  on  this 
occasion  and  standing  on  this  ground,  to  cast  a  transient 
glance  to  that  system ;  to  show  its  rise  and  influence ;  the 
causes  that  produced  it ;  to  remark  its  strength  and  weak- 
ness, and  yield  a  passing  tribute  to  those  mUd  but  mistak- 
en men,  who  defended  it  by  their  learning  and  adorned  it 
by  their  example.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  defects 
of  that  system,  it  was  permitted  to  exist  by  God;  perhaps 
he  used  it  as  a  moral  purchase  to  take  some  other  more 
plausible  errors  out  of  the  way  of  his  people. 

In  the  ancient  Church  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  the  Pal- 
agian  tendencies  long  preceded  the  system  of  Augustine. — 
This  was  perfectly  natural.  Men  must  complete  their  ideas 
of  free-agency;  responsibility;  individuahsm  as  opposed  to 
the  confused  physical  depravity  of  paganism,  before  they 

*  For  an  account  of  what  was  called  the  third  way  of  communion,  see  the  Cam- 
bridge Platform,  chap.  xv.  See  the  anecdote  of  Mr.  Parker's  learning  and  liberality  in 
Coffm's  History,  page  375.  Sec  also  Dr.  Popkia's  two  Sermons  on  leaving  the  Old  IIous* 
and  entering  the  New. 


8 

will  be  led  to  speculate  on  free  grace,  and  justification 
wholly  by  faith.  They  must  read  the  elementary  page  be- 
fore they  proceed  to  those  more  correct  and  more  re- 
fined ideas,  taught  in  the  Epistles  of  Paul  and  confirm- 
ed by  the  Avhole  Bible.  But  in  modern  times  the  process 
was  different.  The  reformation  was  an  outbreak  from 
the  grossly  developed  Pelagianism  which  preceded  it.  All 
was  works,  works ;  merit,  human  merit,  in  the  days  of 
Luther.  The  vast  fabric  of  the  Romish  Church  was  built 
on  this  predominating  idea.  The  reformers,  startle  d  at 
such  doctrines  and  disgusted  at  the  eftects  they  saw  pro- 
duced, set  up  the  noble  doctrine  of  Justification  by  faith, 
as  an  antagonist  power — to  sweep  away  all  these  fatal  de- 
lusions. But  Luther,  while  he  opposed  a  scriptural  truth 
to  a  traditional  error,  narrowed  the  definition  of  faith  ;  he 
made  it  too  much  resemble  a  blind  persuasion  of  a  per- 
sonal interest  in  Christ.^  Hence  the  antinomian  tenden- 
ces  which  soon  manifested  themselves,  and  which  have  al- 
ways been  the  bane  of  an  incautious  orthodoxy.  He  did  not 
make  his  system  meet  the  Avants  of  our  whole  moral  na- 
ture; though  he  set  up  the  pillars  of  truth,  their  leanings  were 
often  wrong ;  his  language  was  often  imprudent  and  ex- 
cessive, and  even  when  he  meant  well,  conveyed  a  wrong 
impression ;  hence  the  reaction  was  visible  in  the  mind  of 


*  Mclclier  Adam  in  Iris  Lives  of  tlio  liclormers  tells  a  story  of  Luther,  -which  perhaps  may 
sliOAv  how  he  became  partial  to  that  view  of  faith  afterwards  deemed  so  dangerous.  When 
he  was  young  he  was  very  sick ;  his  views  were  then  indistinct,  he  was  very  anxious  about 
his  gpiriual  state,  and  was  visited  by  an  old  man  whose  conversation  he  very  much  en- 
joyed; and  this  man  told  him,  in  reiieating  the  creed,  I  believe  in  the  remission  of  sins- 
he  must  Relieve  for  ki/nse/f  and  not  in  general,  that  his  sins  were  forgiven  him: 

Sjepe  etiam  senis  cujusdani  serraonibus  se  confirmatum  esse  narravit:  cui  cum  consterna- 
tioiies  suas  exposuisset,  audivit  cum  de  ftde  multa  diflereutem,  seque  deductum  ajebat  ad 
symbolum.in  quo  legitur  :  Credo  remissionem  peccatoriom.  Hunc  articuluni  sic  ille  inter- 
pVetatus  erat :  77011  solum  in  genere  credendmn  esse,  aliquikiis  remitti  ;  tit  if  Deemones  cre- 
dimt,  Davidi  ant  Pelro  remitti ;  sed  mandatum  Dei  esse:  nt  singnli  homines  nobis  remtti  j>ec- 
r.ata  credamus.  Kt  banc  interpretationem  eonfinuatum  dixit  Bernhaidi  dicto  ;  monstratum- 
que  locum  in  concionc  de  annunciationc,  ubi  ha^c  sunt  verba:  sed  adde,ut^  credas  }f  hoe, 
quod  j>ci-  ipsvm peccata  tibi  donantur.  Hoc  est  testimomum,  quod  perhibit  Spiritus  sanctus, 
in  corde  tiio,  dicens  :  dimissa  sunt  tibi  peccata  tua.  Sic  enim  arbitratur  Apostolus ;  g-ratts 
justijicari  hominum  per  fidem. 

This  afterwards  became  the  favorite  phraseology  of  Luther,  and  laid  the  foundation  o  f 
the  subscciuent  excesses  of  Antinomianism.  Even  Melancthon  says,  I^on  potest  cor  diligtro 
Driiiii,  nisi  osteudatiir  plaralns.    Sec  Deoderlein's  Theology,  Vol.  11.  pnge  450. 


his  warmest  friend,  Melancthon ;  and  hence,  in  the  next 
age,  a  new  system  arose, — placing  man  on  his  own  agen- 
cy ;  and  thus  attempting  to  justify  the  ways  of  God  to  man- 
In  this  way,  the  polemic  attraction  was  continued  too  long; 
and  very  few  even  of  the  most  pious  and  learned,  in  that 
agitated  age,  found  the  independent  path  to  scripture  and 
to  truth.  A  similar  course  occurred  in  New  England. — 
The  stern  orthodoxy  of  our  pious  fathers  uttered  some 
truths  with  great  emphasis,  and  others,  I  suspect,  with  a  fee- 
ble voice.  There  are  some  subjects  which  even  now,  I 
should  not  go  to  volumes  oftheCalvinists  to  find  the  best  dis- 
cussion of  Tillotson's  sermon  on  evil  speaking ;  Dr.  Bar- 
rows' discourses  on  industry  ;  Sherlock's  views  on  resti- 
tution and  reparation  as  absolutely  necessary  to  the  sin- 
cerity of  repentance,  are  far  better  and  more  evangelical 
than  any  thing  similar  found  in  the  writings  of  men,  who 
over  and  over  again  insist  on  the  depravity  of  man  and  a 
salvation  by  a  free  pardon.  It  is  often  permitted  by  the 
high  wisdom  of  God,  whose  ways  are  not  our  ways,  and 
his  thoughts  notour  thoughts,  that  when  a  sect  has  long 
prevailed,  however  firm  their  foundation,  that  will  not,  or 
cannot  utter  his  whole  truth,  that  he  raises  up  another 
sect  who  will  supply  the  delinquency  ;  and  leave  a  wise 
posterity  to  improve  by  the  general  result.  Thus  even 
Arminianism  had  its  causes  and  executed  its  mission. — 
It  operated  like  the  ballast-chests,  which  I  have  seen  in 
some  of  our  steam-boats,  that  when  chance  or  curiosity 
draws  the  passengers  all  to  one  side,  these  machines  are 
rolled  to  the  other,  in  order  to  restore  the  balance ;  to  trim 
the  vessel,  and  perchance  to  prevent  a  destructive  explo- 
sion. 

But  Arminianism  also  had  its  evils;  it  was  too  apt  to  over- 
look those  rousing  truths  which  disturb  the  sinner's  con- 
science, and  it  was  more  remarkable  for  cherishing  the  el- 
egant decencies  of  life  than  for  awakening  the  stupid, 
alarming  tlie  secure,  or  calling  the  prodigal  from  his  husks 


10 

and  svvitie  to  the  penitent  recesses  of  his  flither s  house. — 
It  was  not  a  system  of  deep  feehng;it  hadhttle  impulse 
and  no  zeal.  This  system  also  in  its  turn  produced  its  re- 
action, and  when  after  a  long  slumber,  the  intensest  feel- 
ing spread  over  the  Churches— when  that  extensive  revival 
began,  so  auspicious  in  its  commencement,  so  disastrous  in 
its  close— when  dazzled  by  those  spiritual  images,  Avhich 
the  poor  soul  of  man  in  its  boundless  cravings  is  doomed 
always  to  reach  after  and  never  to  grasp,  the  public  mind 
staggered  under  the  mighty  vision,  I  cannot  but  think  that 
the  Arminian  Churches,  stood  as  a  barrier  to  check  the 
fanaticism  which  threatened  to  inundate  the  land.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Parsons,  of  the  Church  that  went  out  from  this, 
one  of  the  Avarmest  revivahsts  of  that  day,  tells  us  in 
one  of  his  manuscript  letters — that  "many  in  the  land  and 
some  among  us  who  seemed  for  a  time  to  run  well,  have 
since  fallen  away,  some  into  gross  wickedness,  and  others 
into  wild  enthusiasm,  and  have  embraced  several  strange 
doctrines ;  some  affirm  they  have  undergone  something 
equivalent  to  death,  and  therefore  are  now  immortal  and 
without  any  remains  of  sin ;  yea,  beyond  the  possibihty 
of  sinning ;  that  in  this  state  they  are  to  have  children;  born, 
not  of  their  former  wives,  but  of  those  women  who  have 
entered  the  immortal  state,  as  well  as  themselves ;  that 
their  children  are  to  be  a  holy  seed,  and  so  the  latter  day 
glory  of  the  Church  is  to  commence  and  be  carried  on  in 
that  way.  Others,  who  renounce  these  pernicious  princi- 
ples, ramble  about  the  country,  and  when  they  can  get 
admittance,  creep  into  househ  and  teach  the  audience  that 
human  learning  is  the  cause  of  driving  away  the  spirit  of 
God  from  the  Churches  ;  one  of  this  sort  has  lately  been 
among  some  of  my  people,  inculcating  these  principles, 
and  telhng  them  that  God  had  laid  aside  men  of  learningj 
and  taken  farmers  and  tradesmen  to  carry  on  his  worL 
The  principle  seems  to  be  taking  with  a  few  weak  people, 
but  I  trust  God  will  not  suffer  Satan  to  go  on  in  this  way.' 


11 

How  exactly  is  the  present  age  a  reproduction  of  the  past! 
And  how  true  are  the  words  of  the  preacher  in  Jerusalem 
— There  is  no  new  thing  under  the  sun ! 

The  foundation  of  rehgious  excess  is  laid  in  our  nature. 
While  religious  motives  sweep  with  energy  over  the  he;irts 
of  men,there  will  always  be  some  of  such  a  temperament, 
that  the  action  will  be  excessive  on  the  trembling  chords  of 
their  moral  and  physical  composition.  Tliere  will  be  young 
men  who  will  see  visions,  and  old  men  who  will  dream 
dreams ;  and  even  a  divine  action  on  the  soul  will  not  expel 
all  errors,  or  supersede  all  the  imperfections  of  its  peculiar 
structure.  Take  Davenport,  for  example,  the  great  agita- 
tor of  the  days  of  Edwards  and  Whitefield.  There  cannot 
be  a  moment's  doubt  that  he  was  sincere — he  was  an 
earnest  man  and  no  hypocrite.  But  what  was  he,  and 
where  was  the  fountain  of  all  his  delusions  ?  He  was  a 
man  of  no  delicacy  of  taste,  no  sense  of  propriety ;  a 
man  in  whom  the  religious  element  was  strongly  devel- 
oped ;  who  saw  the  world  as  we  all  do,  through  his  own 
ideal ;  who  was  for  bringing  every  man's  religious  expe- 
rience to  his  own  standard ;  and  who  in  prostrating  all 
the  forms  of  life  only  considered  himself  as  manifesting 
great  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God.  Now  in  every  age  there 
will  be  Davenports ;  not  only  men  to  blow  his  trumpet, 
but  thousands  of  hearts  that  will  respond  to  the  sound. — 
It  is  fixed  in  the  permanent  laws  of  our  nature ;  as  the 
blessed  sun  himself  pouring  down  his  light  and  produc- 
tive warmth  on  diflerent  latitudes,  produces  the  banana 
and  the  incense  tree  of  India,  as  Avell  as  the  stunted  pine 
of  the  Norway  coast ;  so  the  spirit  of  God,  acting  on  dif- 
ferent hearts  with  different  susceptibilities  and  under  dif- 
ferent degrees  of  cultivation,  is  likely  to  produce  all  the 
diversities  that  we  see  repeated  in  every  age.  There  must 
be  the  river  and  its  mounds,  the  law  and  its  circumscrip- 
tion ;  this  man's  impulse  must  be  checked  by  that  man's 
caution;  and  God's  purposes  can  only  be  executed  by  all 


12 

the  varieties  of  action,  which  form  the  aggregate  of  human 
hfe. 

Let  lis  always  remember,  however,  that  God's  wisdom 
forms  no  excuse  for  our  known  defects. 

Yet  after  all,  it  must  be  granted  that  the  Arminian  sys- 
tem was  very  defective,  and  formed  a  very  defective  peo- 
ple. To  check  enthusiasm,  or  to  rectify  high  speculation 
is  not  the  sole  duty  of  man.  When  I  lay  the  writings  of 
these  cool  and  cautious  men  alongside  of  the  Epistles  of 
Paul,  I  cannot  but  think,  I  find  a  great  discrepancy.  In 
laying  open  the  character  of  man,  in  stating  the  terms  of 
our  acceptance  with  God,  I  cannot  but  think  they  alike 
eluded  reason,  opposed  scripture,  and  shocked  the  deep- 
est feehngs  of  the  soul.  How  can  a  poor  sinner,  whose 
best  righteousness  is  as  filthy  rags,  think  of  appearing  be- 
fore the  terrible  throne,  unless  clad  in  the  righteousness 
of  Ms  Savior;  unless  accepted  through  the  free  justifica- 
tion, which  is  the  gracious  fruit  of  God's  electing  love  ? 

This  pulpit  was  (formerly  at  least)  distinguished  for  its 
occupants.  Here  were  displayed  the  mental  treasures  of 
the  learned  Parker;  and  the  moderate  Calvinism  of  the 
judicious  Noyes ;  men  who  taught  your  fathers  to  unite 
in  their  practical  creed,  the  grace  of  God  with  the  duties 
of  man ;  men  who  said  that  we  must  be  justified  by 
our  faith,  but  that  faith  itself  must  be  justified  by  works. 
Here  Woodbury,and  Richardson  and  Tappan,presented  to 
your  memories  the  faith  they  inherited  from  their  fathers. 
Here  the  mild  and  prudent  Tucker*  steered  the  bark  of 
the  church  through  troubled  waters  in  stormy  times ; — 
disarming  his  enemies  by  his   meekness,    and   teaching 

*  Dr.  Tucker,  though  managing  his  pen  with  some  polemic  keenness  was  in  private  life 
•a  man  of  great  amenity  and  cheerfulness.  He  was  surrounded  by  foes,  and  felt  himself  call- 
ed on  to  exercise  some  vigor  in  his  own  defence.  The  following  anecdote  is  told  of  him, 
•whieh  may  illustrate  the  moral  of  this  semion.  Being  one  day  overtaken  by  one  of  the  7iew- 
lights,  the  good  layman  thought  he  must  admonish  the  deficient  priest.  "Ah,  Dr.  Tucker," 
Baid  he,  "all  your  good  works  will  never  carry  you  to  Heaven."  "  Well,  sir,"  was  the  reply, 
"  you  will  never  go  there  without  them."  So  between  them  both,  they  got  both  sides  of  the 
tinith. 


his  people  to  conquer  by  love.  Here  the  evangelical 
Moore  preached  Christ  crucified ;  and  to  his  faithful  or- 
thodoxy united  that  ardent  charity  which  always  gives  it 
ten-fold  power.  The  last  preacher  (previous  to  him  who 
now  addresses  you)  is  still  alive.*  Some  of  you  remem- 
ber him.  You  remember  the  purity  of  his  mind  ;  the  im- 
partiality of  his  doctrines ;  the  independency  of  his  senti- 
ments ;  the  conscientiousness  of  his  life. 

Slave  to  no  sect,  he  took  no  private  road, 

But  looked  through  Scripture,  up  to  Scripture's  God. 

Known  for  his  profound  learning,  he  was  removed 
from  this  parish  to  a  distinguished  place  in  a  neighboring- 
Seminary.  "  Age  and  infirmities,"  he  tell  us,  have  pre- 
vented his  being  with  us  this  day.  May  his  sun  go  down 
in  serenity  and  peace,  near  those  Academic  shades  which 
he  has  illuminated  by  his  learning  and  adorned  by  his 
example.  May  we  all  be  benefited  by  his  humble  eru- 
dition ;  his  childlike  simplicity  ;  his  frankness  of  purpose; 
the  characteristic  caution  by  which,  in  stating  a  senti- 
ment, he  was  always  careful  never  to  overpass  the 
truth. 

I  can  say  of  all  my  predecessors,  what  I  hope  will  be 
said  of  me,  when  I  shall  have  become  the  mouldering 
tenant  of  yonder  graveyard ;  that  they  caught  some  of 
the  fragments  of  the  seamless  robe  of  Christ,  which  is  too 
often  parted  in  this  polemic  world.  They  were  all 
honest  men,  felt  their  responsibility,  and  meant  to  de- 
clare the  truth.  Though  belonging  to  difterent  systems, 
none  of  them  went  to  extremes  in  these  systems.  This 
pulpit  has  always  been  sacred  to  moderation.  If  judicious 
preachers  have  had  some  success  here  in  forming  an  intel- 
ligent audience,  perhaps  an  intelligent  audience  has  had 
some  effect  in  producing  judicious  preachers. 

In  this  review  we  may  find  abundant  reason  to   adore 

*  John  S.  Popkiu,  D.  D.,  formerly  Greek  Professor  of  Harvard  University,  the  immedi- 
ate predecessor  of  Dr.  Channing,  Boston,  and  for  twelve  years  a  cherished  and  respected 
pastor  in  this  place. 


14 

the  goodness  of  God,  in  the  protection  of  onr  lives.  He 
who  guided  the  fathers  has  blessed  the  children.  For  two 
hundred  years  his  temple  has  stood  on  this  consecrated 
ground.  How  many  sermons  have  been  preached;  how 
much  truth  has  been  uttered;  how  many  warnings  given; 
how  many  streams  of  consolation  have  been  poured  into 
bleeding  hearts;  how  many  penitential  tears  have  mingled 
with  this  sacred  dust !  Could  the  long  array  of  souls  pass 
before  us,  who  have  gone  from  this  temple  to  perdition  or 
to  glory,  we  should  certainly  feel  that  Ave  are  standing 
on  holy  ground.     We  should  say:  the  people  asked  and 

HE  BROUGHT    QUAILS    AND    SATISFIED      THEM    WITH    THE    BREAD 

OF  Heaven.  He  opened  the  rock,  and  the  waters  gush- 
ed OUT  ■;    THEY    RAN    IN     THE    DRY     PLACES      LIKE    A      RIVER. 

FOR  HE  REMEMBERED  HIS  HOLY  PROMISE  AND  AbRAHAM  HIS 
SERVANT.  And  he  BROUGHT  FORTH  HIS  PEOPLE  WITH  JOY, 
AND  HIS  CHOSEN  WITH  GLADNESS.  AnD  GAVE  THEM  THE  LAND 
OF    THE     HEATHEN THEY      INHERITED      THE     LABOR      OF      THE 

PEOPLE.  That  they  might  observe  his  statutes  and  keep 
HIS  LAWS.     Praise  ye  the  Lord. 

Afew  obvious  reflections  may  close  this  subject — 
In  the  first  place,  we  see  the  great  importance  of  preach- 
ing the  whole  gospel ;  of  not  letting  one  feature  of  its  as- 
pect strike  out  another.  We  must  not  shun,  as  the  scrip- 
ture expresses  it,  to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God. 
Such  is  the  imperfection  of  human  nattire;  such  are  the 
limited  conceptions  of  the  narrow  mind  of  man,  that  we 
often  fasten  on  a  fcAv  doctrines  which  absorb  our  whole 
attention ;  we  forget  that  the  commands  of  God  are  ex- 
ceedingly broad.  vSuch  have  been  the  faults  of  every  sge. 
More  harm  has  been  done  in  this  world  by  partial  truth 
than  by  positive  error.  We  are  so  very  cautious  that  we 
are  afraid  to  let  God  speak  to  man  in  all  his  fulness. — 
Hence  we  see  the  spectacle  of  one  sect  telhng  the  truths 
that  another  sect  will  not  tell.  The  Church  exists  in  par- 
ties, and  the  truth  is  told  in  fragments.     Some  lay  a  no- 


15 

ble  fbiindation  and  never  build  upon  it,  and  others  build  a 
lofty  edifice  without  a  foundation.  The  truth  is,  the 
church  has  never  yet  escaped  from  the  polemic  undula- 
tions. One  truth  is  polluted  because  the  Romish  church 
possesses  it.  Another  savors  of  Socinianism.  Another 
fosters  human  merit.  Another  has  led  to  fanaticism,  and 
people  have  been  taught  so  to  hate  heretics,  that  they 
have  hated  also  that  nucleus  of  truth,from  which  all  here- 
sy must  derive  its  form  and  plausibility.  It  is  high  time 
to  awaken  from  this  deceitful  dream ;  and  fill  our  people 
with  the  amplitude  of  truth,  and  with  the  fullness  of 
God. 

In  the  second  place,  the  history  of  this  Church  may 
throw  some  new  light  on  the  principles  of  Toleration. — 
It  has  been  much  disputed  who  has  the  credit  of  hand- 
ing this  precious  jewel  into  the  world.  Some  say  it  was 
John  Goodwin,  the  Arminian.  Some  advocate  the  claims 
of  Dr.  Owen.  Some  mention  Cromwell;  some  applaud 
the  Quakers  ;  some  give  the  laurel  to  Milton.  Locke's 
letters  on  Toleration  and  the  commentary  of  Bayle,  the 
French  sceptic,  have  been  mentioned  and  applauded. — 
It  has  always  seemed  to  me  that  it  is  too  precious  a  gift 
to  belong  to  any  party,  or  man.  It  was  the  gift  of  God 
himself  It  came  through  the  medium  of  his  special 
providence.  The  fact  was,  it  sprung  up,  in  Holland  th  rough 
the  pressure  of  circumstances ;  it  was  forced  on  them  as 
a  reluctant  gift,  which  they  almost  violated  their  conscien- 
ces in  taking.  It  was  a  cold  political  expediency  which 
slowly  brought  them  to  adopt  a  measure,  now  num- 
bered among  the  clearest  and  the  most  positive  rights 
of  man.  After  Philip  II.  had  driven  them  to  madness 
and  rebellion,  by  his  bigotry  and  cruel  oppression,  the  frag- 
ments of  all  sects  were  obliged  to  unite  against  him. — 
Their  danger  produced  their  union.  Holland  and  Flan- 
ders were  to  Europe  what  Rhode  Island  was  afterwards 
to  NewEngland.  A  spectacle  was  exhibited,  in  the  midst 


16 

of  the  Christian  nations,  of  a  country  enjoying  the  bene- 
fit of  their  daring  inditference.  The  example  of  the  Neth- 
erlands was  quoted,  and  thus  the  benefits  of  toleration 
were  seen  in  practice  before  any  genius  was  so  bold  as  to 
teach  them  in  theory.  The  same  thing  was  acted  on  a 
smaller  scale  between  this  mother  church  and  her  rebel- 
lious daughter.  I  should  be  glad  to  claim  for  the  old  Ar- 
minians  the  credit  of  having  advanced  on  their  age,  in 
their  ideas  of  toleration.  But  no  ;  it  grew  out  of  difficulty; 
it  was  the  fruit  of  time.  When  it  became  apparent  that 
the  sects  must  part,  and  must  both  exist;  that  is,  one  could 
never  put  down  the  other — then  arose  the  idea  of  a  com- 
promise. And  here  let  us  observe,  that  the  question  of  toler- 
ation, like  many  other  political  questions,  is  one  Avholly  of 
expediency.  In  the  origin  of  NewEngland,  toleration  would 
not  have  been  wise.  Tliis  country  derived  its  character ; 
its  energy ;  its  piety,  almost  wholly  from  its  uniformity. 
The  wisdom  of  toleration  depends  upon  the  degree  of  ad- 
vancement among  the  people.  Take  the  case  of  the 
Sandwich  Islands  as  an  example :  when  the  popish  del- 
egation first  invaded  those  islands,  our  pious  missiona- 
ries took  some  measures  to  resist  them,  which  contradict 
all  our  theories  of  toleration.  They  were  right.  The 
people  were  just  passing  from  a  pagan  state;  they  were 
infants  in  knowledge.  They  were  all  united,  and  the 
benefits  of  toleration  would  have  been  merely  nominal, 
while  the  evils  of  distracted  councils  would  be  infinite. 
But  when  a  people  have  reached  a  certain  stage  of  im- 
provement ;  when  liberty  has  been  enjoyed  and  difterent 
sects,  based  on  intelligent  principles,  must  exist,  thenrehg- 
ious  liberty  becomes  practical  wisdom.  This  hard  lesson 
our  own  history  has  taught  us,  and  for  this  gift,  as  well  as 
many  others  connected  with  the  gospel,  the  glory  must 
be  given  to  God  alone. 

Li  the  third  place,  our  history  may  throw  some  light 
on    Christian  Union.     Our    Saviour  in  his  last  solemn 


17 

prayer,  made  it  his  earnest  petition  that  all  his  followers 
might  he  one — "as  thon,  Father,  art  in  me  and  I  in  thee, 
that  they  all  might  be  one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  be- 
lieve that  thou  hast  sent  me."     Here  he  seems  to  con- 
template a  unity  in  his  church  which  has  never  been 
verified;  and  from  the  known  principles  of  human  na- 
ture, we  see  not  how  it  ever  can  be.     As  men  advance 
and  improve  in  thinking,   they  seem  less  likely  to  adopt 
one  creed,  and  while  then  tastes  differ,  they  will  not  be 
disposed  to  fall  into  the  same  organization.     Even  piety 
does  not  seciye  one  train  of  speculation,  or  one  form  of 
church  government.     The  Romish  church  was  an  elabo- 
rate  attempt,  tlie  work  of  successive  ages^  to  produce  an 
outward  union — by  laws  and  by  authority ;  and  yet  the 
attempt  failed;  for  all  the  colors  of  opinion  could  only 
be  made  to  agree  by  spreading  sackcloth  over  the  sun 
and  inducing  darkness  over  the  earth.     I  humbly  con- 
ceive, that  our  little  history  may  throw  light  on  this  sub- 
ject.    Perhaps  the  congregational  system  (with  that  miti- 
gated Presbyterianism  with  which  it  is  in  fellowship)  si 
most  admirably  adapted  to  be  the  foundation  of  all  the 
unity  that  Christ  ever  contemplated.  For  mark  our  history; 
our  very  troubles  may  instruct  us.     This  religious  Socie- 
ty and  that  in  Federal  street  were  formerly  one.     They 
disagreed  ;  they  separated ;  tlie  rebelhous  daughter  went 
from  the  house  of  her  severe  mother.      Their  disagree- 
ment was  on  points  of  importance,  and  threatened  to  be 
eternal.     But,  behold  ;  in  the  change  of  times,  the  same 
doctrines   are  preached  in  both  the  pulpits ;    the  same 
views  are  cherished  by  both  the  churches ;    and   those 
that  denounced  each  other  in   1744,    found,   in  a  quiet 
grove,  on  July  4th,  1846,  "how  good  and  pleasant  it  is  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity. "^     Most  instructive 

*  This  alludes  to  a  Sabbath-School  celebration,  in  which  the  two  societies  joined,  during 
the  current  j-ear.  An  address  was  made  by  the  Rev.  Jonathan  F.  Stearns,  in  which  he 
happily  alluded  to  former  dissensions,  and  our  present  unity  and  peace.  One  of  the  mottos 
was,  '■'Behold  ho-vj  good  and  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  imity.''''  It  was  an 
occasion  when  Profit  caine  robed  in  Delight. 


18 

fact!  It  shows  that  where  there  is  real  union,  it  will  pre- 
vade  its  simplest  forms ;  Avhcre  tlierc  is  none,  it  is  best 
not  to  be  held  together  in  iron  chains,  which  only  in- 
crease the  discord.  I  say  again,  that  Congregationalism 
is  the  most  admirable  system  to  produce  that  unity.  Its 
simple  machinery  works  well.  "  And  Abram  said  unto 
Lot,  Let  there  be  no  strife,  I  pray  thee,  between  me 

AND  thee,  and  between  MY  HERDSMEN  AND  THY  HERDS- 
MEN,    FOR     WE     ARE      BRETHREN.       Is     NOT    THE    WHOLE    LAND 

BEFORE    THEE? SEPARATE  THYSELF,    I    PRAY   THEE,  FROM  ME  ; 

IF  THOU  AVILT  TAKE  THE  LEFT  HAND,  THEN  WILL  I  GO  TO 
THE  RIGHT  ;  OR  IF  THOU  DEPART  TO  THE  RIGHT  HAND,  THEN 
WILL    I    GO    To    THE    LEFT." 

Lastly, — Let  us  all,  instructed  by  past  excesses,  join  in 
promoting  a  genuine  revival  of  religion.  I  know  not 
that  it  would  be  wise  to  confine  ourselves  to  the  exact 
type  which  New  England  has  hitherto  exhibited.  All 
parties  agree  that  the  benefits  of  1740,  were  purchased 
at  a  great  expense.  The  church  should  be  instructed  by 
its  own  experience ;  and  perhaps  St.  Paul  himself,  had 
he  been  present  and  seen  the  commotion  of  that  agitated 
time,  might  have  whispered,  even  to  Edwards  and  White- 
field,  what  he  before  said  to  the  Corinthians, — Yet  shew 

I    UNTO    YOU    A    MORE    EXCELLENT    WAY.       All  I    ask  for    is,    a 

revival  which  shall  end  well;  for  I  read — The  work  of 

RIGHTEOUSNESS  SHALL  BE  PEACE,  a!nD  THE  EFFECT  OF  RIGHT- 
EOUSNESS QUIETNESS  AND  ASSURANCE  FOREVER.     O,  may  God 

bless  his  vineyard,  and  may  these  ancient  churches,  emu- 
lating the  virtues  of  their  fathers,  and  instructed  by  their 
very  errors,  go  on  receiving  the  dews  of  Heaven,  till  the 
wilderness  becomes  a  fruitful  field,  and  the  clouds  of  our 
partial  illumination  shall  be  lost  in  the  permanent  efful- 
gence of  the  millenial  day. 


HYMN, 

COMPOSED  FOR  THE  OCCASION,  BY  HON.  GEORGE  LUXT. 

i. 

How  glorious,  Lord,  thine  earthly  temples  rise ! 

And  every  solemn  spire,  that  meets  the  sky, 
Draws  Heaven  descending  nearer  to  our  eyes. 

And  lifts  the  rising  soul  to  soar  on  high. 


In  dens  and  mountain-caves  thy  saints  of  old 

Through  clouds  and  darkness  sought  thy  promise  given ; 
Our  brighter  vision  bids  us  view  unrolled 

Thy  gospel,  beaming  in  the  blaze  of  Heaven. 


Up  to  thy  holy  throne,  our  fathers'  God  ! 

How  oft  our  lips  the  cheerful  song  have  raised  ! 
In  doubt  and  fear  thy  sacred  courts  they  trod, 

And  praised  thy  name,  but  trembled  while  they  praised. 

IV. 

Even  here,  where  nature  breathes  so  calm  and  still. 

And  all  is  peaceful  as  thy  holy  word, 
In  arms  they  prayed,  and  stood^to  hear  thy  will, 

And  grasped  their  warlike  weapons  as  they  heard. 


Their  quiet  graves  are  lying  all  around. 

Long,  long  have  slept  their  trials,  doubts  and  fears, 
And  mossy  stones  that  lowly  press  the  ground. 

Record  their  tale  of  twice  a  hundred  years. 

VI. 

Oh,  for  those  fervent,  simple  hearts  of  yore. 

The  zeal  they  felt,  the  conquering  faith  they  knew ! 

For  this  we'd  welcome  all  the  toils  they  bore. 
And  joyful  seize  their  final  victory  too. 


Behold,  an  evil  age  thy  truth  perverts. 

The  plain  and  sacred  truth  thy  books  afford, 

And  light  but  darkens  in  their  wandering  hearts. 
The  Gospel  glories  brightening  round  thy  word. 


Yet,  Lord  !  on  us  bestow  thine  ancient  grace, 
To  lead  our  footsteps  where  our  fathers  trod, 

That  children's  children  here,  an  unborn  race. 

May  know  and  prove  thee  still,  their  fathers'  God  ! 


irrENDix. 


From  the  first  settlement  of  Newbury,  in  1G35,  till  1642,  the  inhab- 
itants had  made  the  *'lo\ver  green"  on  the  banks  of  the  "great  river", 
as  it  was  then  called,  their  central  place  of  business,  and  of  course  had 
there  erected  their  "meeting  house,"  but  in  ihe  latter  year,  as  appears 
from  the  following  extract  from  the  town  records  they  had  determined  on 
a  removal : 

"Whereas  the  towne  of  Newbury  well  weighing  the  streights  they  were  in  for  want  of 
plough  ground,  remoteness  of  the  common,  scarcity  of  fencuig  stufTe  and  the  like  did  in  the 
year  1642  grant  a  commission  to  Mr.  Thomas  Parker,  Mr.  James  Noyes,  Mr.  John  'Wood- 
bridge,  Mr.  Edward  Rawson,  Mr.  John  Cutting,  Mr.  John  Lolwe,  Mr.  Edward  Woodman,  and 
Jlr.  .John  Clark  for  removing,  settleing  and  disposeing  of  the  inhabitants  to  such  place  as 
might  in  their  judgements  best  tend  to  thejT  enlargements,  exchanging  the^iT  lands  and  mak- 
ing such  orders,  as  might  bee  in  theyr  judgments  for  the  well  ordering  of  the  towne's  occa- 
sions, and  as  in  their  commission  more  largely  appeareth,  the  said  deputed  men  did  order  and 
appoint  John  Merrill,  Richard  Knight,  Anthony  Short  and  John  Emery  to  go  to  all  tbe  inhab- 
itants of  the  towne,  taking  a  true  list  of  all  the  stock  of  each  inhabitant,  make  a  true  valua- 
tion of  all  theyr  houses,  improved  land,  and  fences,  that  thereby  a  just  rule  might  be  made 
to  proportion  each  inhabitant  his  portion  about  the  "new  towne"  and  the  removing  of  the 
inhabitants  there." 

"It  was  further  ordered  that  in  respect  of  the  time  for  the  inhabitants  removing  from  the 
place  they  now  inhabit,  to  that,  which  is  layd  out  and  appointed  for  their  ne-'sv  habitations, 
each  inhabitant  shall  have  thej'r  house  lotts  fouie  yearcs  from  the  day  of  the  date  of  this 
commission." 

In  the  town  records  of  Jan.  2,  1646,  the  following  extract  is  found  : 

"Wee,  whose  names  are  in  the  margent*  expressed  for  the  settleing  the  disturbances,  that 
yett  rcmayne  about  the  planting  and  settleing  the  meeting  houf^e,  that  all  men  may  cheerfully 
goe  on  to  improve  theyr  lands  at  the  new  towne,  doe  determine  that  the  ineeting  house  shall 
be  placed  and  sett  i/p  at  or  before  ike  twentieth  of  October  iiext  in,  or  upon,  a  knowle  of  upland 
by  Abraham  Tappan's  barnc  within  a  sixo  or  sixteen  rodd  of  this  side  of  the  gate  posts,  that 
are  sett  up  in  the  high  way  by  the  said  Abraham  Toppau's  house." 


*  James  Noyes,  Edward  Woodman,  John  Cutting, 

John  Lowie,  Richard  Knight,  Henry  Short." 


^' 


♦^^-^^ 


\'-^jf^^^¥-'^^^^^T^ 


SERMON 


NATIVITY   OF   OUR   LORD,, 

PREACi,     ,.    ;:, 

ST.     PAUL'S     CHURCH,     N  E  V/ B  U  R  Y  P  0  R  T, 

A.  13.  iscr. 

TO     WHICH     IS     A  Vi-DV.Y)  , 

A    SUCCINCT    HISTORY, 

.,F 

THE     EPISCOPAL     CHURCH 

IN 

THIS  TOWxM   AND  VICIiNITY. 


JAMES  MOKSS,  D.   D. 

K  E  G  T  0  n  . 


'■<'.--,.*<*^<-,^^^<»-.',/»X^^<»y.^/»/'^^^^X.^ 


'^ciiefa*    of    bfie    ^<K,(icl. 


SERMON, 


PREACHED 


IN     ST.    PAUL'S     CHURCH, 


NATIVITY     OF     OUR    SAVIOUR; 


DECEMBER    2  5,    1837. 


TO    WHICH   IS  ADDED 


THE  SUBSTANCE  OF  TWO  DISCOURSES  ON   THE  SUNDAY 

FOLLOWING,   BEING   THE   CLOSE    OF  A    CENTURY 

SINCE  THE  FIRST  CHURCH  EDIFICE  WAS 

ERECTED  IN  NEWBURYPORT. 


JAMES    MORS  S,   D.   D. 

HECTOE   OF   ST.   PAUL's  CHURCH,   NEWBURYPORT. 


PRINTED    BY 
3I0IISS     AND     BREWSTER 

1838. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Wardens  and  Vestry  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  held  \n 
Ihe  Vestry,  Jan.  14,  1838  :  — 

Voted,  That  John  Dean  and  George  Titcomb,  Wardens,  and  Moses 
Merrill  and  Wm.  Woart,  Esquires,  be  a  Committee  to  request  of  the  Rev. 
Rector,  a  copy  for  publication  of  the  Sermon  delivered  on  Christmas  last,  and 
also  a  copy  of  the  Discourses  delivered  on  the  Sunday  following,  on  the  rise 
,Dnd  progress  of  St..  Paul's  Church. 

GEORGE  TITCOMB,  Junior  Warden. 


To  John  Dean  and  George  Titcomb,  Esquires,  aud  others  — 

Gentlemen: — The  discourses  referred   to  in  your  vote  of  the  14th   inst. 

are  submitted  for  publication,  in  the  hope  that  the   good  feeling  and  candor 

manifested  at  the  delivery  of  the  first,  will  not  be  diminished  by  the  perusal 

from  the  press  ;  and  that  the  record,  contained  in  the  other  discourses,  will  be 

deemed  worthy  of  preservation,  and  be  transmitted  to  posterity  as  a  memorial 

of  the  richly  deserved  credit  and  honor  due  to  the  early  founders  of  this  Church. 

AfTectionately  yours, 

JAMES    MORSS 
January  24,  1838. 


SERMON. 


ISAIAH,     XXXV,    5   &   6. 

THEN     THE    EYES     OF    THE     BLIND    SHALL   EE     OPENED,     AND   THE    EARS    OF 
THE  DEAF  SHALL   BE  UNSTOPPED.  THEN   SHALL  THE  LAME  MAN  LEAP 

AS   AN    HART,    AND   THE    TONGUE    OF   THE   DUMB    SING. 

Such  is  the  beautiful  imagery  ennployed  by  the  prophet  in  describing 
the  influence  of  the  gospel  and  the  blessed  eflects  of  its  general  diffusion, 
^c  on  the  state  of  mankind.     The  traits  of  poetic  genius  and  effusions  of 
V  genuine  minstrelsy,  which  abound  in  the  prophetic  writings,  will  not  suf- 
v^  fer  by  comparison  with  the  best  models  of  classic  literature.     In  purity 
\^  of  sentiment,  loftiness  of  style  and  beauty  of  description  they  are  not  sur- 
V   passed ;— but  in  their  power  to  elevate  the  feelings,  purify  the  affections 
and  move  to  good  and  noble  deeds,  they  are  not  equalled  by  the  most  finish- 
ed productions  of  Greece  or  Rome.     The  most  beautiful  works  of  the  lat- 
ter, grounded  on  the  fiction  of  a  golden  age  of  pastoral  innocence  and  hap- 
piness, which  has  passed  away ;  —  must  yield  in  point  of  interest  to  the 
prophetic  descriptions  of  a  better  age,  yet  to  come  ; — presenting  the  heart- 
cheering  prospect  of  improvements  to  be  effected  in  the  character  and  con- 
dition of  man,  and  the  happiness  to  be  diffused,  wherever  the  human  race 
is  found.     This  delightful  transformation,  to  be  effected  by  the  influence 
of  the  gospel  under  the  mild  reign  of  the  Prince  of  peace,  is  described  under 
the  figures  of  wild  forests  and  rugged  mountains  converted  into  beautiful 
fields   and    fertile  plains ; — and  beasts  of  prey  tamed  of  their  ferocity, 
quietly  feeding  in   pastures  beside   the  most  innocent  animals.     Thus 
the  prophet  Isaiah,  'rapt  into  future  times,'  describing  the  reign  of  Messiah, 
breaks  forth  in  the  following  strains.     '  Righteousness  shall  be  the  girdle 


of  his  loins  and  faithfulness  tlie  girdle  of  his  reins.  The  wolf  also  shall 
dwell  with  the  lamh,  and  the  leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid,  and  the 
calf  and  the  lion  and  the  falling  together  and  a  little  child  shall  lead  them; 
and  the  sucking  child  shall  play  on  the  hole  of  the  asp  and  the  weaned 
child  shall  put  his  hand  on  the  cockatrice's  den.  They  shall  not  hurt 
nor  destroy  in  all  my  holy  mountain :  for  the  earth  shall  he  full  of  the 
knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.'  The  practical  ef- 
fects of  this  moral  change  are  expressed  by  tke  figure  of  the  '  wilderness 
and  solitary  place  being  made  glad  and  the  desert  blossoming  as  the  rose:' 
the  peaceful  effects  of  religion  on  the  barbarous  customs  of  war  are  de^^ 
scribed  by  the  "  beating  of  swords  into  ploughshares  and  spears  into  prun- 
ing hooks,  nation  no  longer  lifting  up  sword  against  nation,  nor  learn- 
ing war  any  more  ;  but  sitting  every  man  under  his  vine  and  fig-tree  and 
none  shall  make  them  afraid :"  and  its  transforming  influence  on  the  mind 
and  heart  is  represented  in  the  text  by  '  opening  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  un- 
stopping the  ears  of  the  deaf,  and  causing  the  lame  man  to  leap  as  an 
hart,  and  the  the  tongue  of  the  dumb  to  sing.' 

These  striking  images  are  used,  not  to  entertain  but  to  instruct ;  —  not 
so  much  to  please  the  fancy,  as  to  enlighten  the  mind  and  mend  the  heart. 
A  right  understanding  of  them  is  therefore  necessary,  not  only  to  a  just 
perception  of  the  pleasure  to  be  derived  to  the  taste,  but  to  ensure  their 
proper  effect  on  the  affections  and  conduct,  and  awaken  just  vieAvs  of  the 
excellence  and  value  of  that  gospel,  whose  origin  Ave  this  day  celebrate. — 
In  treating  on  the  passage,  to  which  your  attention  is  invited,  I  shall  pro- 
ceed, 1st  to  explain  the  manner,  in  which  this  description  of  the  benefits 
of  the  gospel  is  to  be  understood — 2dly,  illustrate  the  mode  of  operation, 
or  the  manner,  in  which  its  effects  are  produced — and  close  with  a  brief 
application. 

I.  By  way  of  explanation,  I  observe,  that  the  figurative  language  here 
used,  is  intended  to  express  the  tendency  of  the  general  prevalence,  rather 
than  the  immediate  effects  of  the  first  appearance  qf  the  gospel.  Allow- 
ance is  to  be  made  for  the  peculiar  structure  of  the  Oriental  languages, 
and  of  the  Hebrew  in  particular  ;  which  is  marked  by  laconic  brevity  and 
abounds  in  bold  metaphors,  and  antithetic  and  weighty  sentences ;  but  des- 
titute of  that  copiousness,  perspicuity  and  precision,  deemed  so  essential  in 
modern  compositions.  Thus,  in  the  psalms  of  David  and  elsewhere,  it  is 
implied,  that  righteousness  is  always  attended  by  long  life  and  temporal 
prosperity  ;  when  in  fact  the  tcndencij  only  of  it  is  meant  to  be  asserted. — 
When  Solomon  says,  '  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and 
when  he  is  old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it;'  he  means  to  assert  the  benefits 
of  early  education, — or  in  other  words,  that  a  good  beginning  is  the  surest 
way  to  a  good  ending ;  to  which  rule  he  does  not  mean  to  deny  that  there 


may  be  exceptions.  The  glowing  language  in  the  text  and  uiher  por- 
tions of  the  ancient  prophecies  is  to  be  received  with  the  same  liniita- 
tions.  It  was  not  intended  to  assert,  that  wherever  the  gospel  was  preach- 
ed, or  partially  embraced,  a  miraculous  change  was  immediately  to  he 
wrought  on  the  whole  community,  or  that  the  elements  of  the  human 
character  were  to  be  supernaturally  modified,  —  the  primeval  nature  of 
our  race  changed, — the  mass  of  depravity  entirely  removed  from  the  hu- 
man heart,  —  all  the  evil  passions  expelled,  like  demons,  at  its  presence  ;  or 
the  darkness  of  reason  immediately  dispersed  : — by  no  means ;  such  ex- 
pectations would  be  altogether  unreasonable,  and  unwarranted  by  any 
fair  interpretation  of  the  language  of  prophecy.  Men  were  still  to  con- 
tinue rational  and  accountable  beings,  to  exert  the  moral  powers,  to  enjoy 
freedom,  and  retain  the  exercise  of  choice  between  good  and  evil;  while 
the  good  effects  were  to  be  developed  in  the  gradual  extension,  and  ulti- 
mate, universal  prevalence  of  the  principles  of  the  gospel  over  the  minds 
and  passions  of  mankind. 

The  apparent  failure  of  its  influence  is  therefore  by  no  means  to  be  at- 
tributed to  any  defect  in  its  nature  or  tendency;  but  to  the  predominating 
influence  of  the  corrupt  passions  of  those,  who  openly  reject,  and  the  re- 
maining corruptions  of  those,  who  partially  embrace  it.  Even  among  na- 
tions professedly  christian,  the  portion  is  small,  which  makes  profession 
of  their  belief;  and  among  even  these,  there  are  occasional  marks  of  doubt- 
ful sincerity ;  while  the  best  are  called  to  struggle  with  remaining 
corruptions  as  well  as  the  corrupt  influence  of  surrounding  example.  — 
Were  these  impediments  removed  and  the  gospel  universally  embraced 
in  truth  and  love,  I  do  not  say,  that  a  state  of  perfect  purity  and  happi- 
ness would  ensue ;  for  this  is  to  be  found  only  in  heaven  ;  —  but  an  end 
would  be  put  to  the  keenest  sufferings  of  life,  tlie  judgments  of  God  would 
be  withdrawn,  war  and  bloodshed  would  cease;  and  such  a  disposition  to 
allow  the  undisturbed  pursuit  of  the  lawful  concerns  and  pleasures  of  life 
and  promote  mutual  happiness,  would  prevail,  and  such  an  ameliora- 
tion of  the  condition  of  man  produced,  as  would  amply  justify  tlie  fio-ura- 
tive  language  in  the  text. 

The  same  happy  results  will  not  always  be  experienced  by  individuals 
or  nations.  Allowances  are  to  be  made  for  the  peculiarities  of  individual 
and  national  character.  Greater  obstacles  are  to  be  encountered  by  some 
than  by  others.  The  gospel  will  shine  in  full  lustre  only  among  the  civ- 
ilized and  enlightened.  Christianity  is  far  from  being  hostile  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  light  and  knowledge,  to  the  highest  degree  of  intellectual 
and  moral  refinement,  to  the  progress  of  science  or  to  cultivation  and  ur- 
banity  of  manners:  on  the  contrary,  its  genuine  influence  is  best  display- 
ed in  the  highest  stage  of  human  refinement,  and  its  best  fruits  are  pro- 


(iuced  on  the  most  cuhivated  soil.  Hence  every  allowance  is  to  be  made 
tor  the  previous  condition  of  the  subjects,  on  which  its  genial  rays  are  first 
to  shine,  and  its  ameliorating  influence  to  be  first  exerted.  The  darkness 
of  ignorance,  evil  habits  and  unsubdued  passions,  will  in  all  cases  ob- 
scure its  lustre  and  tarnish  its  beauty.  Our  Saviour  himself  has  taught, 
how  essential  a  good  soil  is  to  the  yielding  of  the  good  fruits  of  religion. — 
The  seed  is  always  good,  but  the  heart  needs  culture.  All  the  recipients, 
then,  are  not  to  be  brought  to  the  same  standard;  good  fruits  in  equal  a- 
bundance  are  not  in  all  cases  to  be  expected ;  improvements  must  vary 
according  to  talents  bestowed  and  opportunities  enjoyed.  By  this  rule, 
we  are  taught,  that  judgments  both  here  and  hereafter  are  to  be  awarded. 
If  the  christian  virtues  and  graces  are  all  to  be  sought,  where  no  advanta- 
ges of  early  cultivation  have  been  enjoyed,  the  search  will  be  vain ; 
and  if  judgments  are  to  be  made  up  by  this  rule,  few  will  abide  the  test. 
Perfect  uniformity  of  temperament,  disposition  and  manners  among  chris- 
tian professors  is  in  the  nature  of  things  impossible.  Even  among  the 
chosen  Apostles,  the  companions  and  family  of  our  Lord,  there  was  a  va- 
riety of  disposition  and  character.  There  was  the  disciple,  who  on  ac- 
count of  extraordinary  meekness  and  sweetness  of  disposition  was  termed, 
'  the  beloved';  and  there  was  the  bold  and  zealous  disciple,  who  betrayed 
many  infirmities,  and  was  often  subjected  to  the  severe  reproof  of  his  Mas- 
ter. Neither  the  mildness  of  John  was  charged  with  coldness,  nor  was  the 
zeal  of  Peter  a  peculiar  or  infallible  evidence  of  sincerity  ;  but  both  were 
true  disciples,  although  the  latter  had  to  grapple  with  more  evils  of 
corrupt  nature,  while  the  former  was  best  beloved,  and  displayed  with  less 
effort  a  larger  share  of  the  genuine  fruits  of  religion  :  while  the  desire, 
the  unwearied  effort,  the  prevailing  motive  of  both  were  the  same.  Were 
these  dispositions  universal,  —  were  all  men  thus  to  become  christians, 
and  strive  to  bring  forth  the  good  fruits  of  their  profession  and  '  high  cal- 
ling in  God,'  the  blessed  influence  of  the  gospel  would  be  realized,  and 
the  charming  sight  witnessed,  as  figuratively  represented  by  '  the  lion  and 
the  lamb  lying  down  together,  the  eyes  of  the  blind  being  opened,  the 
ears  of  the  deaf  unstopped,  —  the  lame  man  leaping  as  an  hart  and  the 
tongue  of  the  dumb  being  made  to  sing.' 

II.  Let  us  then  proceed  to  show  its  mode  of  operation,  or  in  what 
manner  it  produces  these  beneficial  effects. 

1.  The  subjects  of  divine  grace  were  once  blind  ;  but  they  now  see.  — 
They  were  born  in  the  darkness  of  the  natural  man,  which  is  corrupt,  and 
'  were  by  nature  children  of  wrath,  even  as  others.'  Their  spiritual  vis- 
ion was  blinded  by  carnal  lusts  and  passions,  and  they  had  no  right  dis- 
cernment of  spiritual  objects.  They  'put  evil  for  good  and  good  for  evil, 
light  for  darkness  and  darkness  for  light ;'  and  viewed  the  requirements 


of  the  law  with  dislike  and  abhorrence.  They  saw  great  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  religion,  strong  objections  to  faith  in  the  revealed  will  of  God, 
whom  they  regarded  as  '  a  hard  master,  reaping  where  he  had  not  sown 
and  gathering  where  he  had  not  strawed.'  The  whole  scheme  of  the 
gospel  was  enveloped  in  obscurity,  and  darkness  rested  upon  the  great 
deep.  But  now  the  views  are  changed,  and  they  are  ready  to  exclaim  — 
'one  thing  I  knoiv,  that  whereas  I  was  blind  I  now  see.'  The  vail  is  taken 
off,  and  they  behold  with  joy  the  deep  things  of  the  law.  Sin  appears  in 
its  true  colours,  altogether  loathsome,  destructive  of  human  happiness  and 
therefore  opposed  to  the  will  of  God.  All  his  acquirements  appear  to  be 
reasonable,  the  truths  of  his  revealed  will  worthy  of  reception,  and  the 
observance  of  the  institutions  of  religion,  a  reasonable  and  delightful  ser- 
vice. '  Old  things  are  done  away,  behold  all  things  are  become  new.'  — 
The  word  of  God  is  their  richest  treasure  and  communion  Avith  him  in 
his  ordinances,  the  source  of  the  truest  enjoyment.  From  the  sacred  vol- 
ume they  derive  the  most  valuable  instructions;  in  it  they  find  the  image 
of  themselves  faithfully  portrayed  ;  they  discover  their  disease'and  rem- 
edy ;  forsake  their  own  self  righteousness,  as  a  filthy  rag,  fly  for  depend- 
ence to  the  merits  and  sacrifice  of  their  Saviour ;  and  desire  to  be  clad  in 
the  robe  of  his  righteousness  as  their  only  recommendation  to  divine  fa- 
vor. They  see  and  admire  the  excellence,  the  dignity  and  sufllciency  of 
Him,  on  whom  their  help  is  laid.  His  power  and  authority  engage  their 
confidence,  his  love  captivates  and  fixes  their  hearts.  They  see  the  van- 
ity of  the  present  state  and  fix  their  affections  on  things  above.  '  In  these 
respects,  they  have  all  of  them  a  good  understanding;  however  inferior 
in  natural  capacity  or  acquired  knowledge,  to  the  wise  men  of  the  world.' 
Every  one  may  not  be  alike  conscious  of  the  process,  but  all  agree  in  the 
beauty  and  excellence  of  religion ;  all  have  a  lively  consciousness  of  the 
worth  and  importance  of  piety  and  virtue,  and  feel  a  strong  and  hearty 
desire  to  be  conformed  to  the  will  of  God  as  displayed  in  the  image  of 
his  dear  Son. 

2.  Because  they  see,  they  hear  likewise;  their  ears  are  unstopped.  — 
Once  they  were  deaf  to  the  notes  of  the  silver  trumpet  of  the  gospel ;  their 
ears  were  '  like  the  deaf  adder,  who  would  not  hear  the  voice  of  the  char- 
mer,  charmed  he  never  so  wisely.'  They  could  not  endure  the  doctrine 
of  dependence  ;  the  cross  was  an  offence  ;  —  and  even  the  joyful  songs  of 
angels  over  a  lost  sinner  recovered,  was  no  music  to  them  ;  —  it  was  fatal 
to  their  hopes,  and  the  death-knell  to  their  own  boasted  merits  —  but  now 
smce  their  change,  the  chords  of  their  hearts  vibrate  to  new  emotions  ;  no 
song,  so  sweet,  as  that  of  Moses  and  the  Lamb,  that  was  slain  from  the 
foundation  of  the  world ;  —  no  theme  is  so  interesting  or  conveys  such 
delight,  as  that  of  the  scene  ou  Mount  Calvary,  — no  voice  is  so  cordially 


8 

listened  to,  as  that,  which  invites  the  sinner  to  Christ; — 'his  blood  speak- 
eth  better  things  than  the  blood  of  Abel.'  They  are  no  longer  mute  in 
prayer  and  praise  :  —  their  ears  being  unstopped,  their  tongues  are  also 
loosed  ;  they  can  no  longer  be  dumb  and  silent  spectators  of  the  worship 
of  God ;  but  their  hearts  are  ready  to  flow  out  in  the  channels  prepared 
fur  them  ;  and  they  feel,  that  if  tlmj  should  be  silent,  the  very  stones  would 
cry  out.  — The  services  of  the  sanctuary  are  their  chief  refreshment,  — 
and  their  obligations,  motives,  resources,  encouragements  and  prospects, 
all  combine  to  animate  them  in  their  christian  course,  and  impel  them  to 
press  toward  the  mark  for  the  '  prize  of  the  high  calling  of  God.' 

3.     '  Having  their  sight  and  hearing  thus  restored,  and  their  hearts  en- 
larged, they  walk  at  liberty  in  the  ways  of  wisdom.'  —  the  lame  man  leaps 
as  a  ha7-t.     Some  christians  seem  to  have  been  healed,  —  but  have  never 
moved  ;  have  been  cured  of  the  leprosy  of  sin,  but  have  not  'taken  up  their 
bed  and  walked.'    The  true  christian  commences  actively  the  path  of  duty 
and  his  feet  make  haste  to  keep  the  commandments  of  God.     Instead  of 
creeping,  as  before,  in  a  state  of  hesitation,  '  groping  for  the  wall  like  the 
blind,  as  if  he  had  no  eyes,  and  stumbling  at  noon  day  as  in  the  night,'  he 
is  enlightened  by  the  sun  of  righteousness  and  the  path  of  duty  is  plain 
and  easy  before  him  —  so  clear  that  '  the  way-faring  man  though  fool 
cannot  err  therein.'     Instead  of  halting  between  two  opinions,  he  is  satis- 
fied as  to  the  Master,  whom  he  should  serve,  and  it  becomes  his  delight  to 
do  his  will.     Instead  of  being  at  a  stand,  as  to  the  main  object  of  pursuit 
—  whether  it  should  be  honor,  or  power,  or  wealth,  or  fame  ;— or  whether 
he  should  forsake  Christ  for  the  world,  or  all  for  Christ;  he  is  settled  — 
his  object  is  marked,  he  keeps  heaven  in  view  and  looks  above  the  world 
and  tramples  its  pomps  and  vanities  beneath  his  feet.    Of  his  great  object 
he  never  loses  sight ;  as  a  pilgrim  and  sojourner  here  on  earth,  he  mar- 
ches forward  to  Immanuel's  land,  'to  fairer  worlds  on  high.' — Not  slothful 
in  business  —  not  walking  in  the  ways  of  the  wicked,  his  feet  not  running 
to  evil  or  making  haste  to  shed  blood,  or  following  the  multitude  to  do 
tvil,  —  he  is  always  found  at  the  post  of  duty; — walking  in  the  straight 
paths  of  truth  and  justice,  —  visiting  the  sick  and  afflicted,  distributing  to 
the  necessities  of  the  poor,  and  scattering  blessings  by  his  presence  in  ev- 
ery   direction.     Past    experiences  are  subjects  of  gratitude,  but  not  of 
trust ;  nor  is  his  hope  of  salvation  grounded  on  any  thing  that  has  already 
taken  place  ;  nor  does  he  place  the  least  reliance  on  any  present  attain- 
ment ;  like  the  Apostle  Paul,  he  does  not  consider  himself,  "  as  having  al- 
ready attained,  or  as  being  already  perfect  —  but  'one  thing'  says  he,  I  do 
'  forgetting   those   things   that    are    behind,   I  press    toward   the  mark 
for  the  prize  of  tlie  high  calling  of  God ;'   and  again,  says  the   same,  '  I 
therefore  so  run,  not  a;  uncertainly  ;  so  figiit  I,  not  as  one  that  beatcth  the 


9 

air,  '  but  I  keep  under  my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection,'  lest  after 
having  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should  be  cast  away.  His  whole 
life  is  a  warfare  —  a  continued  struggle  with  sin  :  like  the  sun  in  the 
heavens,  he  never  stops  in  his  course,  nor  ceases  to  bring  forth  the  good 
fruits  of  religion,  in  order  to  keep  hope  alive:  and  thus  he  proceeds  from 
strength  to  strength;  running,  and  not  being  weary,  walking  and  notbeing 
faint.' 

4.  And,  finally,  his  limbs  being  restored  from  the  palsy  of  sin,  81  he 
proceeds,  he  joins  in  the  voice  of  creation,  shouting  the  praise  of  its  Cre- 
ator. —  '  The  tongue  of  the  dumb  shall  sing.'  The  whole  world  was  for- 
med to  show  forth  the  glory  and  sing  the  praise  of  its  Creator ;  and  the 
mighty  voice  which  spake  it  into  being,  was  reechoed  by  '  the  morning 
stars,  which  sang  together.'  —  All  was  created  to  display  his  wisdom, 
his  goodness,  his  power  and  to  diffuse  joy  and  gladness  throughout  the 
realms  of  bis  dominion.  One  only  being  witnessed  with  grief,  and  con- 
spired to  destroy  the  noblest  part  of  creation  ;  and  one  act  only  was  there- 
fore necessary  to  complete  the  splendor,  and  perfect  the  glory  of  the 
Creator;— and  that  was,  the  tcork  of  redemption.  This  was  planned 
in  the  same  Council,  which  said,  '  let  us  make  man  after  our  own  image, 
in  our  own  likeness' ;  and  accomplished  '  in  fulness  of  time'  by  the 
adorable  Son  of  God  : — who  condescended  to  become  man  — '  and  as  at 
this  time  to  be  born  of  a  pure  virgin'; — to  suffer  and  die  to  make  atone- 
ment for  our  sins,  to  accomplish  our  redemption  from  the  captivity  of  sin 
and  satan,  to  reconcile  and  restore  us  to  God  and  raise  us  to  a  state  of  in- 
describable happiness.  Thus  was  the  glory  of  the  work  of  creation  render- 
ed complete  by  that  of  redemption ;  viewed  with  admiration  by  the  bles- 
sed spirits,  who  kept  their  first  estate  —  made  the  subject  of  prophecy  and 
song,  among  patriarchs  and  prophets,  —  and  in  the  fulness  of  time, 
ushered  in  by  hymns  of  joy  from  the  angelic  choir.  '  Glory  to  God  in 
the  highest,  and  on  earth,  peace,  good  will  towards  men.'  Catching 
the  strains  ot  the  melody  of  heaven  the  believer  unites  in  anthems  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving;  —  commencing  on  earth  the  ceaseless  song,  to 
which  the  harps  of  angels  are  strung  in  heaven — of  '  glory  to  God  and  the 
Lamb,  who  hath  redeemed  us  by  his  blood  —  and  made  us  kings  and 
priests    unto   our    God.' 

Such,  my  brethren,  is  the  happy  result  of  grace  in  the  heart;  — 
such  the  duty  and  privilege  of  the  believer, — such  the  nature  and  effects 
of  religion.  It  first  removes  obstacles  and  then  proceeds  in  its  de- 
lightful and  delighting  course  ; — it  clears  away  rubbish,  and  builds  the 
splendid  edifice;  — it  cuts  down  forests,  and  turns  them  into  beautiful 
gardens;  at  its  approach  the  arid  sands  become  fertile  fields,  and  the 
barren  wastes    are   converted    to  rich   pastures;  —  it  feeds  the  hungry, 


10 

©pens  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  unstops  the  ears  of  the  deaf,  —  causes  the  lame 
to  leap  like  the  hart  and  the  dumb  to  sing  for  joy.  Its  very  nature  is  pleas- 
ant, and  its  leading  object  is  to  banish  evil,  and  ditTuse  happiness.  But 
these  blessed  eflects  are  to  be  the  result  of  its  universal  difTasion.  When 
every  mrai  embraces  the  gospel  in  the  love  of  it,  we  confidently  predict  the 
arrival  of  that  state,  described  by  the  figures  of  ancient  prophecy;  'when  the 
wolf  shall  dwell  with  the  larab;  the  desert  shall  blossom  as  the  rose,  and 
swords  shall  be  beat  into  plough-shares  and  spears  into  pruning  hooks,  and 
men  shall  learn  war  no  more.' 

1.  We  learn  from  hence  the  true  nature  of  the  gospel,  —  its  transform- 
ing power,  —  its  wonderful  efficacy  in  changing  the  nature  and  condition 
of  man.  It  commences  with  the  heart,  the  fountain  of  sin,  which  it 
cleanses  and  causes  to  send  forth  the  pure  streams  of  righteousness ; 
it  makes  the  tree  good,  that  the  fruit  may  be  good  also.  —  It  is  in  its  na- 
ture altogether  remedial.  Its  object  is  to  restore  man  to  the  primeval  con- 
dition, forfeited  by  sin ;  and  revive  the  image  defaced  by  the  apostacy  of  the 
pair  in  Eden.  A  new  birth,  is  necessary  to  this  restoration  to  God  and 
happiness.  This  is  to  be  accomplished  through  the  instrumentality 
of  a  covenant,  of  which  Christ  is  the  Mediator.  We  are  by  nature 
'truce  breakers'  —  heirs  of  a  broken  covenant ;  which  is  to  be  renewed,  by 
entering  into  the  bonds  of  a  new  and  everlasting  covenant,  sealed  mysti- 
cally in  the  ordinances,  of  which  Christ  is  the  surety  and  sacrifice;  but 
entered  into  and  ratified  spiritually  in  the  inward  man. 

The  gospel  is  not  given  as  an  improved  code  of  ethics,  or  as  a 
better  scheme  of  morals,  by  observing  which  we  may  attain  salvation.  — 
Its  chief  operation  is  on  the  inward  man ;  it  is  not  our  external  doings 
that  are  to  save  us,  but  the  merits  and  sacrifice  of  Christ  alone,  applied 
by  faith.  Christ  came,  not  to  proclaim  the  doctrine  of  immortality ;  for 
this  was  known  before;  —  nor  to  establish  a  new  rule  of  life  and  conduct ; 
for  the  best  of  moral  precepts  were  contained  in  'the  law,'  and  revealed  to 
the  Patriarchs ;  being  neither  altered  nor  enlarged  by  any  new  discoveries 
in  the  Gospel.  Nor  was  it  his  purpose,  chiefly,  to  proclaim  the  doc- 
trine of  future  rewards  and  punishments; — for  this  was  the  universal  doc- 
trine of  all  religions,  Jewish  and  Gentile,  except  a  small  number  of  mis- 
taken interpreters  of  the  gospel  system.  He  came  not  to  'destroy  the  law, 
but  to  fulfil;'  to  show  its  spirituality  and  power;  and  to  purify  it  from  the 
traditions,  by  which,  in  the  hands  of  a  corrupt  priesthood,  it  had  degenera- 
ted into  a  dull  round  of  formal  rites  and  ceremonies.  He  came  to  ful- 
fil the  law  and  make  it  honourable; —  '  to  bring  life  and  immortality'  to 
clearer  '  light,'  and  by  his  resurrection  from  the  dead,  to  assure  us  of  our 
own. — Look  at  his  instructions;  —  they  inculcate  the  law  of  love,  which 
pervades   the  Old  Testament.     The   writings  of  the  Evangelists  are  not 


11 

books  of  morals,  but  histories  of  the  life  and  doctrines  of  Christ.  The  book 
of  the  Acts  is  the  history  of  the  foundation  of  the  Church  ;  the  Epistles  are 
addressed  to  various  churches,  for  the  prevention  of  heresies  and  divisions, 
and  the  promotion  of  love,  peace  and  harmony  among  the  various  branches : 
—  to  which  are  occasionally  appended,  supports  under  persecution,  en- 
couragements to  perseverance,  and  exhortations  to  such  a  line  of  con- 
duct, as  best  became  their  profession.  The  great  subjects  —  the  sum  and 
substance  —  the  central  point,  from  which  all  their  writings  diverged, 
were  faith  and  repentance,  —  the  indispensable  conditions  of  the  new 
covenant,  —  by  which  alone  all  its  benefits  were  to  be  secured. 

2.  We  learn  the  immense  value  of  the  Gospel ; — its  beneficial  effects 
in  the  promotion  of  benevolence  and  peace ;  and  in  inspiring  confidence 
between  man  and  man;  —  rendering  not  only  life  but  property,  as  safe 
in  the  keeping  of  a  fellow  being,  as  in  our  own  ;  —  in  a  v/ord,  accomplish- 
ing all,  that  the  most  selfish  heart  could  wish,  —  or  the  wisest  head  de- 
vise, to  promote  the  peace  and  welfare  of  man  on  earth,  as  well  as  in 
heaven.  And,  because  it  has  not  already  done  this,  shall  it  be  abandon- 
ed ?  Shall  those  evils  which  the  craft  and  subtility  of  the  Devil  or  man 
have  wrought,  be  alleged  against  it !  Shall  the  abuses  of  unbelievers,  or 
weak  professors  be  deemed  a  sufficient  reason  for  consigning  it  to  igno- 
minious oblivion?  Shall  its  progress  be  stayed  ;  and  because  to  this  gen- 
eration it  has  not  been  developed  in  all  its  splendour,  shall  we  impiously 
attempt  to  extinguish  its  light  and  cut  off  hope  from  all  succeeding  gen- 
erations ?  What  are  its  evils  ?  What  age  or  nation  has  it  visited  without 
the  cup  of  blessing  in  its  hand  ?  On  what  period  or  portion  of  the  world 
has  it  alighted,  from  which  at  its  approach  preexisting  peace  and  happi- 
ness fled?  In  what  age  or  portion  of  the  world  were  the  passions  of  men 
without  its  aid,  kept  in  due  subjection,  and  the  v/hole  aspect  of  society  pre- 
served pure  and  unblemished?  If  there  are  none, — if  no  such  place  or 
period  is  to  be  found,  if  its  footsteps  are  marked  by  no  evidence  of  mis- 
chief—  then  let  it  have  free  course  and  be  glorified;  —  let  it  accomplish 
the  work,  for  v>rhich  it  was  designed ;  let  us  welcome  its  approach,  speed 
its  onward  march,  swell  the  ranks  of  its  favoured  followers  and  pave  the 
way  for  its  universal  triumph. 

Finally.  What  hinders  its  progress?  The  obstacles  are  many.  The 
divisions,  strifes  and  animosities  of  christians  are  among  the  most  influ- 
ential. Alas,  my  brethren,  how  fearful  is  our  responsibility  !  Who  can 
wash  his  hands  and  say  he  is  innocent?  But  the  universal  prevalence 
of  pride,  lust,  avarice  and  ambition  are  the  chief  and  most  potent. — 
What  a  barrier  is  thus  erected  by  blind  and  guilty  man  against  his 
own  interest !  How  vast  the  multitude,  thus  leagued  in  hostile  array  a- 
gainst  the  messenger  of  heaven,  which,  in  the  course  of  his  triumph,  are 
to  be  swept  away  by  the  besom  of  destruction !  But  christians  themselves 
are  not  duly  aware  of  the  dignity  and  importance  of  the  christian  charac- 


12 

tpr,  as  di«ciple3  and  followers  of  tlie  exalted  Redeemer  —  'as  heirs  of 
God  and  joint  heirs  Avith  Christ.  Theirs  is  the  greatest  of  all  attain- 
ments —  the  loftiest  of  earthly  honours.  In  this  light  has  its  '  time  hon- 
oured name,' ever  been  esteemed  and  revered;  gathering  freshness,  as 
it  has  advanced  in  age.  It  was  in  high  repute  even  among  those,  who 
doomed  its  professors  to  the  stake ;  who  beheld  Avith  admiration  and  rev- 
erence, the  firmness,  the  constancy,  the  courage,  of  these  innocent  victims, 
and  their  elevation  above  worldly  considerations ;  and  regarded  them 
as  a  new  race ;  and  their  joy  in  suffering,  as  a  new  phenomenon  —  an 
entire  exception  to  all  the  known  principles  of  human  action.  At  the 
sight,  vast  numbers  were  converted;  the  very  means  used  to  arrest, 
served  to  accelerate  the  progress  of  religion,  and  '  the  blood  of  the  mar- 
tyrs became  the  seed  of  the  church.'  And  such  will  be  the  result  of  a 
faithful  and  just  exhibition  of  its  features  and  character.  Let  christians 
then  bear  this  in  mind; — keep  in  view  the  responsibility  of  their  station 
and  endeavour  to  shine  as  the  lights  of  the  world.  Let  them  consider, 
that  from  them  the  beauty  and  excellence  of  religion  are  to  be  reflected; 
and  on  that  image  its  success  in  the  world  must  in  a  great  measure  de- 
pend. The  genuine  influence  of  the  Spirit  will  then  be  abundantly  pour- 
ed out  upon  the  church,  and  the  way  be  speedily  opened  for  the  spread  of 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom  throughout  the  world. 

la  the  birth  of  the  Saviour  then,  one  and  all  may  rejoice.  The 
hardened  sinner  only  can  be  insensible  to  the  testimonials  of  joy 
on  this  occasion.  If  any  are  anxious  for  the  spread  of  unbridled  li- 
centiousness, let  them  this  day  be  mute;  for  to  them  these  tokens 
of  joy  must  carry  dejection  and  despair.  If  any  are  anxious  to  wield 
the  sceptre  of  lawless  dominion,  and  bind  on  the  people  the  yoke  of 
oppression,  —  let  them  be  mute;  for  on  this  day  the  'eyes  of  the  blind  are 
opened' ;  '  liberty  is  proclaimed  to  the  captive  and  the  opening  of  the 
prison  to  them  that  are  bound.'  But  let  the  righteous  rejoice  ;  for  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  is  come,  which  is  their  protection  and  safety  ;  —  let  the  sons 
of  true  prosperity  rejoice  ;  for  He,  who  is  the  chief  portion  of  their  inherit- 
ance is  the  King,  whose  reign  we  celebrate ;  —  let  the  penitent  sinner  re- 
joice ;  for  here  he  beholds  the  Lamb,  whose  blood  cleanseth  from  sin,  and 
whose  sacrifice  alone  can  secure  pardon;  —  let  the  poor  rejoice,  for  here 
he  finds  true  riches,  even  '  the  unsearchable  riches  of  righteousness  ; ' — 
let  the  sick  rejoice,  for  here  he  finds  the  remedy  for  all  his  spiritual  mal- 
adies, and  while  his  outward  man  decays,  his  inward  man  is  renewed 
day  by  day; — and  let  even  the  dying  rejoice;  —  for  this  day  opens  the 
portals  of  Heaven  and  awakens  the  undying  hope  of  a  blissful  immor- 
tality. 


A 
BRIEF       HISTORY 

OK 

THE     EPISCOPAL     CHURCH 

IN 

ISEWBURYPORT  AND  VICINITY; 

B  K 1  N  G 

THE  SUBSTANCE  OF  TWO  DISCOURSES 

PRKACIJED    IN 

ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  DEC.  3],  1837. 
1st   Ep.    JOHN,    I,    3. 

THAT  WHICH  WE  HAVE  SEEN  AND  HEARD  DECLARE  WE  UNTO  YOU,  THAT 
YE  ALSO  MAY  HAVE  FELLOWSHIP  WITH  US  :  AND  TRULY  OUR  FEL- 
LOWSHIP IS  WITH  THE  FATHER  AND  WITH  THE  SON,  JESUS  CHRIST  ;  AND 
THESE  THINGS  WRITE  WE  UNTO  YOU  THAT  YOUR  JOY  MAY  BE  FULL. 

The  Gospels  and  the  Acts  ol  the  apostles  were  published  for  the  purpose 
of  making  known  to  the  Church  the  foundation  of  faith,  and  instituting 
rules  and  presenting  examples  for  the  guidance  of  the  practice  of  future 
generations.  —  A  leading  object  was  to  preserve  the  great  principle  of  'the 
unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace'.  — Historical  narrative  is  the  form 
of  instruction  best  adapted  to  excite  interest,  preserve  the  connection  be- 
tween the  distinct  and  otherwise  discordant  members,  and  to  serve  as  the 
bond  of  union  between  successive  generations.  The  order  and  harmony 
of  the  whole  are  thus  preserved  entire,  and  the  identity  of  the  church  mil- 
itant is  secured  to  the  end  of  time  ;  or  until  the  second  coming  of  its  Head. 
One  characteristic  feature  pervades  the  Vi/hole  body ;  which  is,  mutual  fel- 
lowship, or  communion  in  doctrine  and  practice;  and  the  fundamental 
principle  of  this  union  and  communion  of  saints,  is  '  fellowship  with  the 
Father  and  with  his  Son  Jesus  Christ'  —  or  communion  in  that  faith,  by 
which  this  mutual  relation  between  the  Father  and  the  Son  is  effectually 
recognized. 

This  general  and  comprehensive  purpose  of  Church-history  is  sufficient 
authority  for  narratives  of  the  smaller  portions  or  members;  of  which  the 
use  and  advantage  need  not  now  be  particularly  argued.  As  this  day 
closes  the  year,  and  a  century,  since  the  first  Church  was  erected  on  the 
spot,  on  which  this  edifice  stands ;  I  propose  to  give  a  brief  sketch  of  the 


14 

events  relative  to  the  origin  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  this  place,  and  the 
more  prominent  circumstances,  which  have  attended  its  growth  and  pro- 
gress to  this  day. 

The  narrative  of  a  body  of  christians,  differing  from  the  popular  and 
prevailing  customs  and  creeds,  —  emerging  from  the  midst  of  deep 
prejudices  ;  surrounded  by  strong  opposition, —  yet  springing  up  and  lay- 
ing the  foundation  of  a  work,  Avhich  has  survived  to  this  day,  is 
still  flourishing  and  holds  out  bright  prospects  of  future  success, —  cannot 
fail  of  being  interesting  and  instructive. 

The  doctrine,  whether  well  grounded  or  not,  that  our  fore-fathers  fled 
from  the  persecutions  of  the  Church  of  England,  was  faithfully  transmit- 
ted; and  inculcated,  as  an  infallible  and  fundamental  article  of  faith  ;  and 
the  wrongs  done  them  were  painted  in  glowing  and  exaggerated  colours. 
Hence  it  may  well  be  supposed,  that  an  attempt  to  introduce  branches  of 
this  Church  into  this  country,  would  be  regarded  Avith  surprize,  and  meet 
with  opposition.  A  few  individuals,  dissatisfied  with  the  disordered  state 
of  the  churches  around  them,  finding  themselves  involved  in  a  labyrinth 
of  difficulties,  and  apprehending  still  greater  yet  to  come,  set  themselves 
to  work  to  investigate  the  causes  and  discover  the  remedy.  A  slight  ex- 
amination of  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  New  England  will  be  sufficient  to 
show,  that  in  less  than  a  century,  the  churches  had  fallen  into  a  state  of 
the  wildest  confusion :  and  were  divided  into  numerous  sects,  inflamed 
with  mutual  hatred  and  animosity.  No  ecclesiastical  history  of  any  coun- 
try exceeds  this  in  instances  of  extravagance  of  opinion  or  variety  and  dis- 
cordance of  practice.  Synod  after  Synod  was  assembled  to  devise  rem- 
edies and  bring  order  out  of  confusion.  Having  embarked  on  a  new 
system  of  church-government,  in  which  they  had  neither  guides  to  fol- 
low, nor  precedei^ts  in  antient  or  modern  times,  as  patterns  to  work  by;  — 
and  being  obliged  to  grope  their  way  through  new  and  untried  scenes,  and 
to  deal  with  spirits,  not  the  most  tractable,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered,  that 
they  should  be  driven  into  wild  schemes  and  rude  experiments,  — 
which,  instead  of  relieving,  served  to  render  the  theory  of  discipline 
more  perplexing,  and  the  practice  inconsistent  with  public  professions ; 
that  arbitrary  will  should  take  place  of  rule,  injurious  to  the  rights  of 
private  individuals ;  and  a  wide  difierence  prevail  between  general  pro. 
fessions  and  particular  practices.  The  inevitable  consequences  were,  a 
relaxation  of  discipline,  the  decay  of  religion,  neglect  of  the  sacraments, 
and  general  prevalence  of  the  wildest  notions  on  the  one  hand,  and  of 
irreligion  and  infidelity  on  the  other. 

This  state  of  things  excited  the  compassion  and  awakened  the  attention 
of  the  pious  and  benevolent  in  the  Mother-country,  to  devise  some  method 
of  relief.  The  result  of  which  was,  the  formation  of  a  '  Society  for  the 
PROPAGATION  OF  RELIGION  IN  FOREIGN  PARTS,'  incorporated  in  1701  ;  which 
was  piously  patronized  and  liberally  endowed  by  the  Clergy  and  Laity  in 
every  part  of  the  kingdom,  and  partook  largely  of  the  royal  bounty.  By  it 
Missionaries  were  sent  to  various  parts  of  the  world  and  to  this  coun- 


15 

try  in  particular;  and  facilities  were  afforded  for  disseniinating  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  scriptural  worship  and  discipline  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church.  In  Boston  and  one  or  two  other  places  in  New  England,  where 
individuals  of  sufficient  intelligence  and  influence  resided,  this  Church 
had  been  planted;  from  which  it  found  its  Avay  to  this  place. 

Newbury,  having  been  early  selected  as  a  convenient  site  for  ship-build- 
ing, the  seeds  of  the  Church  were  probably  first  sown  by  those,  who  came 
from  abroad  for  this  purpose.  But  the  first  decisive  movement  was  said 
to  have  originated  in  a  difficulty  about  locating  a  new  meeting-house, 
about  to  be  erected.  The  final  decision  of  this  question  not  being  agreea- 
ble to  the  persons  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Plains,  and  the  Merrimack 
River,  their  attention  v/as  turned  to  the  forming  of  an  Episcopal  Church. 

This  determination  created  a  strong  sensation  throughout  the  State, 
occasioning  evil  surmizes  and  violent  opposition ;  and  called  forth  from 
some  leading  men  effusions  of  no  very  gentle  or  amiable  spirit.  Dr.  Col- 
man,  the  Minister  of  Brattle-Street,  Boston,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Kennet, 
Bp.  of  Peterborough,  dated  Nov.  17,  A.  D.  1712,  gives  the  following 
account  of  their  proceedings. 

'  The  last  year  a  difficulty  happened,  in  Newbury,  about  placing  their 
Meeting  house.  The  matter  was  brought  before  our  General  Court,  who 
determined  according  to  the  free  vote  and  act  of  the  Precinct,  whereby  they 
had  obliged  themselves  to  each  other.  Whereupon  a  number  declare 
themselves  for  the  Church  of  England;  many  of  them  I  will  suppose  per- 
sons of  sobriety  and  virtue,  and  only  in  a  pet  and  to  save  their  rate  to 
their  aged  and  worthy  Minister,  Mr.  Belcher,  vtterly  ignorant  of  the 
Church  they  declare  for^  nor  offended  in  the  least  with  the  form  of  worship 
or  discipline,  which  they  had  observed.  They  were  most  narrow  and 
rigid  dissenters,  who  would  before  this  have  disowned  me  in  particular 
for  the  use  of  the  Lord's  prayer,  reading  the  scriptures  and  a  freer  admission 
to  the  Lord's  supper  than  has  been  generally  practised  in  these  churches.'* 

This  explanation  of  the  conversion  of  these  episcopalians  may  have 
satisfied  the  writer  of  this  letter;  but  the  events  proved  their  convictions 
to  have  been  deeper  and  more  lasting  ;  and  they  gave  clear  and  conclusive 
evidence,  that  they  were  influenced  by  reasons  more  weighty  than  pecu- 
niary considerations ;  that  they  had  something  of  higher  importance  in 
view,  than  to  '  save  the  rate  ;'  that  they  were  guided  by  light,  which  per- 
haps   the   Doctor  needed;    and    so  far  from  being   'narrow   and    ri^id 

*  The  Bishop  probably  smiled  in  his  sleeve,  while  perusing  the  good  Dr's 
reasoning.  It  seems  that  the  use  of  the  Lord's  prayer  and  the  reading  of 
the  scriptures  in  public,  were  not  in  good  repute.  'Thereby  hangs  a  tale.' 
Brattle  street  Church  was  suspected  of  leaning  to  episcopacy,  and  wished 
their  Minister  elect.  Dr.  C.  who  was  then  in  England,  to  receive  congre- 
gational ordination  there,  before  he  assumed  the  charge  of  the  parish  in 
Boston  ;  —  and  it  was  a  condition  of  his  office,  imposed  by  the  parish,  that 
the  Lord's  prayer  should  be  used  and  the  scriptures  read  on  occasions  of 
public  worship. 


16 

dissenters,'  they  were  men  of  enlarged  views  and  feelings,  —  of  a  deter- 
mined spirit  and  willing  to  abandon  'narrow  and  rigid  dissent,'  for  a  more 
liberal  and  enlightened  faith.  They  proceeded  at  no  small  hazard  and 
expense  to  erect  a  building,  which,  tradition  says,  was  immediately  de- 
molished during  the  night  by  some  of  their  opponents.  —  It  was  soon 
however  rebuilt,  and  called  Queen  Ann's  Chapel;*  and  to  prevent  the  rep- 
etition of  similar  injury,  they  addressed  a  petition  to  the  Governour  for 
encouragement  and  protection. 

This  petition  contains  doubtless  a  more  accurate  and  satisfactory  ac- 
count of  their  convictions  and  feelings,  than  that  just  quoted ;  and  as 
it  comes  from  themselves,  is  more  to  be  relied  upon  ;  while  its  truth  has 
been  confirmed  by  the  result,  and  their  sincerity  established  by  their  ad- 
herence to  the  cause  they  had  espoused,  until  death. 

'  To  his  Excellency  Joseph  Dudley,  Esq.  Capt.  General  and  Governour  in 
chief  in  and  over  her  Majesty's  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  bay  in  New 
England,  —  the  humble  petition  of  several  freeholders,  and  the  inhabitants 
of  the  town  of  Newbury. 

Whereas  your  Excellency's  petitioners  have  declared  themselves  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  England  and  have  raised  a  building  for  the  worship 
of  Almighty  God,  according  to  the  manner  of  service  prescribed  in  the 
said  Church,  We  humbly  desire  your  Excellency's  Protection  and  en- 
couragement in  our  just  and  laudable  Undertakings.  We  are  convinced 
that  the  Church  of  England  is  a  pure  Orthodox  Church,  and  so  are  resolv- 
ed to  continue  no  longer  in  that  [funreasonable]  separation,  [and  schism] 
which  has  so  unhappily  prevailed  among  the  mistaken  and  prejudiced  in- 
habitants of  this  country.  This  resolution  has  occasioned  ye  illwill  of 
our  Dissenting  brethren,  who  levy  upon  us  more  than  Ordinary  Rates  to- 
wards the  maintenance  of  their  Minister,  and  other  purposes  of  that  na- 
ture ;  which  act  of  theirs  is  a  very  great  hardship  and  grievance  to  us,  since 
we  have  addressed  Our  Right  Rev.  Diocesan  ye  Bishop  of  London  to  send 
us  a  minister,  which  we  shall  most  gladly  receive ;  but  think  ourselves 
under  no  obligation  to  any  Other;  —  it  being  a  thing  unknown  in  her 
Majesty's  dominions,  yt  ye  members  of  the  Church  of  England  are  oblig- 
ed to  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  Dissenting  Teachers.  We  therefore 
pray  your  Excellency's  favour,  that  we  may  not  be  molested  for  the  fu- 
ture upon  this  account  and  beg  leave  to  subscribe  ourselves 
Your  Excellency's  Most  Dutiful 

and  Obedient  Servants  — 

Abraham  Merrill,  Joshua  Brown,  Richard  Bartlelt,|:  Daniel  F.  Law- 

*It  was  50  feet  long  and  30  feel  wide  and  stood  on  the  Plains;  the  site 
is  now  used  as  the  burying  ground. 

t  The  words  enclosed  in  brackets  are  nearly  illegible,  having  been  in- 
tentionally obliterated. 

t  The  children  of  these  two  families  were  baptized  April  18,  1714. 


17 

rens,  Samuel  Bartlett,  Samuel  Sawyer,  John  Bartletl,  Robert  Rogers, 
Joseph  Bailey,*  Richard  Williams,  Ephraim  Davis,  Josiah  Sawyer,  Ben- 
jamin Sawyer. 

There  is  no  date  to  this  document ;  but  from  the  answer  of  the  Govern- 
our,  it  must  have  been  drawn  up  in  February  1712.  This  is  probably  a 
duplicate  of  the  petition  actually  sent  to  the  Governour,  as  it  does  not  con- 
tain the  same  number  of  signatures,  expressed  in  the  Governour's  answer. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  reply : 

Boston,  Feb.  2S,  1711  —  12. 

I  received  yesterday  an  Address  and  Petition,  signed  by  22  persons, 
Freeholders  and  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Newbury,  setting  forth,  that 
they  are  declared  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  England,  as  by 
law  established,  and  that  they  have  raysed  a  building  for  the  service  of 
God  according  to  the  Manner  of  worship  prescribed  in  the  said  Church, 
Desiring  Protection  and  Encouragement  therein  accordingly,  and  that 
they  have  addressed  the  Right  Reverend  the  Bishop  of  London  to  have  a 
Minister  sent  to  them,  and  that  thereupon  they  may  not  be  obliged  to  con- 
tribute to  the  subsistence  of  the  other  Ministers  of  any  other  profession, 
as  at  large  is  set  forth  in  this  Petition. 

I  am  also  further  informed  by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Harris,  one  of  the  Min- 
isters of  the  Church  of  England  in  this  place,  that  at  their  desire  he  has 
visited  and  preached  to  that  new  Congregation,  and  had  a  very  consider- 
able auditory,  and  that  he  shall  continue  so  to  do,  untill  their  said  address 
to  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London  shall  be  considered  and  orders  given  therein. 
—  I  am  thereupon  of  opinion,  that  the  said  Petitioners  and  others  that 
joyne  with  them  Ought  to  be  peaceably  allowed  in  their  Lawfull  proceed- 
ings therein  for  their  good  Establishment ;  and  ought  not  to  be  taxed  or 
Imposed  upon  for  the  support  and  Maintenance  of  any  other  Public  Wor- 
ship in  the  said  Town.  —  Of  which  I  desire  all  persons  concerned  to  take 

notice  accordingly. 

Given  under  my  hand. 


To  her  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace 
for  the  County  of  Essex,  Massachusetts  Bay, 


J  .    DUDLE  T . 


From  the  above  it  is  abundantly  evident  that  for  at  least  a  year  previ- 
ous, the  subject  of  episcopacy  had  been  agitated  among  them.  It  had 
been  carefully  weighed  and  examined,  and  the  result  was,  the  conviction 
of  at  least  twenty-two  freeholders,  men,  as  Dr.  Colman  admits,  '  of  sobri . 
«ty  and  virtue';  —  who   bad  invited    the  Rev  Mr  Harris  of  Boston   to 

*  His  children  were  baptized  April,  1723. 


IS 

visit  and  officiate  among  thein,  and  had  requested  their  Diocesan,  the 
Bishop  of  London,  to  send  them  a  Minister.  All  this  had  the  appearance 
of  deliberate  enquiry  and  full  conviction  ;  and  gave  evidence  that  in  the 
course  of  their  proceedings,  they  were  actuated  by  an  enlightened  con- 
science. 

In  answer  to  their  application,  the  Rev  Mr  Lampton  was  sent  as  the 
first  Minister  of  this  Church,  A.  D.,  1711  ;  but  did  not  stay  long,  having 
contracted  a  bad  state  of  health'*  — There  are  a  few  records  supposed  to 
have  been  made  by  him  —  ranging  from  1711,  to  1714. f  —  The  precise  du- 
ration of  his  ministry  cannot  be  ascertained.  The  following  letter  from 
Gen'l  Nicholson,  appointed  Agent  by  the  Queen  for  examining  and  re- 
porting on  the  state  of  the  churches,  renders  it  probable,  that  his  short 
residence  here  was  subject  to  a  temporary  interruption.  It  is  addressed 
to  the  Church  at  Newbury. 

PiscATAQUA,  July  31,  1714. 

Gent.  —  The  great  fatigue  of  my  business  together  with  a  long  indispo- 
sition is  the  reason  I  have  not  visited  you.  Mr  Lampton  is  come  once 
more  among  you,  and  as  I  have  hitherto  used  my  Interest,  so  you  may 
depend  upon  the  continuance  of  every  thing  in  my  Power  for  your  ser- 
vices both  here  and  in  England. 

I  am  gent,  your  affectionate,  &:c. 

Ff.    Nicholson. 

Mr  Lampton  probably  continued  here  until  the  autumn  of  1714,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Rev  Henry  Lucas,  in  the  summer  of  1715.  Here  we 
have  another  proof  of  the  zeal  and  constancy  of  these  men  ;  —  not  discour- 
aged by  disappointment  in  the  loss  of  one  Minister  by  indisposition,  they 
immediately  applied  for  another;  and  had  interest  and  influence  sufficient 
to  procure  one  within  a  short  period.  The  letter  of  Lieut.  Governour 
Nicholson  also  shows  in  Avhat  consideration  they  were  held.  The  orig- 
inal letter  of  introduction  brought  by  Mr  Lucas  from  Mr  I.  Bridger  is  still 
in  being,  of  which  the  following  is  a  copy. 

London,  March  20,  1715. 
The  bearer  hereof  Mr  Lucas  is  appointed  your  Minister,  and  I  have  no 
reason  to  doubt,  but  he  will  fully  answer  your  expectation,  and  advance 

*  Humphrey's  Memoirs. 

+  The  first  recorded  meeting  of  the  Vestry  is  in  Mar.  30,  1714,  at  which 
Abra.  Merrill  and  Joshua  Brown  were  chosen  Wardens.  Eleven  persons 
were  baptized  during  his  ministry. 


19 

the  Church  amongst  you  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  Ahnighty  God  and  to 
the  edification  of  many  souls;  and  if  he  does  his  duty,  you  must  do  your 
parts. 

As  I  have  not  made  so  great  progress  in  my  own  afiairs  yet  as  to  say 
that  I  shall  return  to  New  England  again,  yet  nothing  shall  be  wanting 
on  my  part,  that  shall  contribute  the  smallest  mite  to  your  church's  bene- 
fit and  your  prosperity  herein. 

Mr  Lucas  has  given  me  his  word,  that  he  will  do  all  that  in  him  lies  to 
promote  true  religion  by  a  strict  and  virtuous  life,  whereby  the  Church 
will  be  much  increased;  —  by  which  he  will  disappoint  our  enemies  both 
in  their  desires  and  expectations.  Heartily  praying  for  your  health  and 
prosperity  in  all  kinds,  I  remain  &c. 

J.    B  RIDGE  R. 

The  earliest  record  made  by  Mr  Lucas*  is  a  baptism  Oct.  1715 — proba- 
bly made  not  long  after  the  commencement  of  his  parochial  duties.  Dr 
Humphrey,  Secretary  of  the  Society  in  Eng.  gives  the  following  ac- 
count of  him  :  '  His  congregation  was  but  small  at  first,  the  people  hav- 
ing lived  long  in  a  disuse  of  the  sacraments  they  still  continued  negligent 
of  them,  Mr  Lucas,  not  only  by  public  discourses  advised  them  and  used 
his  best  endeavours  in  private  to  convince  them  of  the  usefulness  and 
benefit  of  both  those  ordinances.  He  used  also  to  go  to  Kittery  a  neigh- 
bouring place  and  preach  there ;  he  had  a  large  congregation,  several 
times  near  200  persons,  who  expressed  a  mighty  desire  to  be  instructed  in 
the  principles  of  the  Church  of  England.  He  baptized  here  many  chil- 
dren and  seven  grown  persons,  one  of  which  was  50,  the  other  60  years 
old." 

Mr  Lucas  seems  to  have  been  an  ardent  man,  of  quick  sensibility,  but 
of  a  morbid  temperament,  and  liable  to  deep  depression.  The  parochial 
records  of  his  time  appear  to  be  imperfect,  and  made  by  dilferent  hands. 
Tlie  last  is  the  baptism  of 'James,  son  of  James  and  Dorothy  Lucas,  born 
March  22,  1719,  —  per  me,  Hen.  Lucas.'  —  It  is  probable  that,  from  this 
period  till  the  time  of  his  death,  his  health  was  infirm  and  declining.  —  He 
died  suddenly  23  Aug.  1720,  said  to  have  been  occasioned  by  suicide,  in  a 
fit  of  derangement.  He  was  buried  on  the  25th,  under  the  altar  of  the 
church  ;  but  there  is  no  stone  to  mark  the  spot,  nor  any  means  of  deter- 
mining his  age.     His  widow  with  her  children  is  said  to  have  returned  ta 

*His  recorded  baptisms  amount  to  31.  — The  baptisms  in  other  places 
than  his  own  parish,  are  not  recorded.  —  The  first  baptism  recorded  in  his 
Church  is  Henry  J;unt,  son  of  Skipper  and  Elizabeth,  April  11,  1714, -r- 
by  Mr  Lainpton. 


20 

England.  The  time  of  his  ministry  occupied  about  5  years.  The  Rev- 
Mr  Mossom  of  Marblehead  officiated  liere  occasionally,  until  the  arrival 
of  his  successor. 

The  Rev  Mathias  Plant,  the  third  minister,  succeeded  him  and  com- 
menced his  labours  in  April  1722. 

Mr  Plant  at  the  commencement  of  his  duty,  No\r.  1722  drew  up  'arti- 
cles to  be  a  standing  order,  by  which  the  Parishioners  shall  proceed  for  the 
good  Regulating  and  ordering  of  the  Affairs  of  the  Church  for  the  future, 
and  that  nothing  should  be  allowed  or  added  to  them  without  the  consent 
of  the  Minister;'  which  were  signed  by  the  following  persons  : 

Samuel  Bartlett,  Abiel  Long,  John  Bartlett,  Joseph  Annis,  Joshua 
Brown,  Skipper  Lunt,  Josiah  Sawyer,  Benjamin  Long,  Steven  Rogers, 
Ephraim  Davis,  Thomas  Bartlet,  James  Harbutt,  (William  Somands,)  John 
Eayre,  Robert  Rogers,  John  Merrill,  "William  Morey,  Richard  Williams. 

These  names  are  in  their  own  handwriting  and  are  all  written  in  a 
fair  legible  hand,  with  one  exception,  marked  as  above ;—  thus  indicating 
them  to  have  enjoyed  advantages  of  early  education,  and  to  have  been 
above  the  common  class  of  freeholders. 

Secretary  Humphreys  thus  speaks  of  Mr  Plant.  '  He  was  appointed 
Missionary  A.  D.  1720.  He  was  received  with  much  favour  and  civility 
by  the  people  of  the  Church  of  England.  He  began  to  discharge  his  min- 
isterial office  with  success ;  many  people  showed  a  great  earnestness  for 
the  Public  worship  and  more  continually  were  added  to  them.  They  con- 
tributed their  equal  rates  very  frankly  to  Mr  Plant,  and  he  was  so  sensible 
of  their  favour  in  many  respects,  he  makes  this  grateful  acknowledgment 
of  it  to  the  Society  :  '  I  find  both  my  people  and  others  the  inhabitants 
'very  kind  to  me,  and  although  my  place  is  reckoned  the  smallest,  I 
'  must  confess  the  love  I  have  for  the  people,  and  the  truly  good  will  and 
'  extraordinary  civility  and  kindness,  I  receive  from  them,  makes  me  to 
'  esteem  my  place  as  inferior  to  none.'  Mr  Plant  continues  now  (172S,) 
in  this  mission ;  his  congregation  now  amounts  to  near  200.  Some  of 
his  hearers  come  from  towns  4,  5  or  6  miles  distant  and  their  number  is 
daily  increasing.' 

Mr  Plant  had  not  been  here  long,  before  he  began  to  experience  some 
proofs  of '  the  religious  freedom,  which  our  forefathers  came  here  to  estab- 
lish,^—  in  renewed  attempts  to  tax  episcopalians  for  the  support  of  congre- 
gational ministers.  The  Episcopalians  agreed  to  defend  their  own  rights, 
resist  the  payment,  and  divide  among  themselves  the  expenses  incurred 
by  law-suJts.  They  then  applied  to  Governour  Shute  for  protection  and 
obtained  from  his  Excellency  the  following  mandamus  — 


21 

Boston,  July  27,  172^. 

Whereas  upon  information  from  the  Rev  Matthias  Plant,  minister  of  the- 
Church  of  England,  Newbury,  that  several  persons  of  that  and  the  ad- 
joining towns  have  professed  themselves  members  of  the  said  church  and 
accordingly  have  entered  their  names  in  their  register-book,  and  that  the 
Rt  Rev  the  Bishop  of  London  hath  settled  a  minister  among  them  and. 
that  there  is  a  very  considerable  congregation ;  I  do  therefore  order,  that 
the  persons,  who  have  already  declared,  or  shall  hereafter  declare  for  the 
said  established  church,  be  peaceably  allowed  in  their  proceedings,  and 
must  not  be  taxed  or  imposed  upon  for  the  support  and  maintenance  of 
any  other  public  worship  in  the  said  town  or  towns,  wherein  they  shall 
inhabit:  of  which  all  persons  concerned  are  to  take  notice  accordingly. 
Given  under  my  hand, 

Samuel  Shute. 

To  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Peace  ) 

for  the  County  of  Essex,  or  any  one  of  them.    ) 

The  Episcopalians  under  this  protection  proceeded  harmoniously  for 
several  years  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  Minister  and  their  privileges.  — 
The  subject  of  the  new  church  at  the  "Water  side,  (as  it  was  then  called,) 
appears  to  have  been  first  agitated  about  this  period.  This  part  of  New- 
bury was  become  the  centre  of  population  and  business.  In  1726,  a  con- 
gregational church  had  been  collected  here  and  placed  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  the  Rev  Mr  Lowell.  Several  active  and  enterprizing  Merchants 
of  this  place;  —  among  whom  we  find  the  names  of  Atkins,  Dalton,  Har- 
ris, Brown,  Jenkins,  Gwynn,  Cottle,  Woodbridge,  Davis,  Smith  and  oth- 
ers, who  were  Episcopalians,  were  desirous  of  a  place  of  worship,  more 
conveniently  situated  than  that  at '  the  Plains.'  This  was  necessarily  at- 
tended by  considerable  difficulty,  and  out  of  it  grew  some  uneasiness  be- 
tween Mr  P.  and  his  parishioners  at  the  Water-side.  The  people  at  the 
Plains  had  a  prior  claim  to  Mr  P. ;  and  the  only  course  left  for  the  other 
portion  was,  to  obtain  a  separate  minister;  —  or  consent  to  divide  the 
services  between  the  two  churches,  and  make  M.  P.  minister  of  both.  — 
To  this  there  were  objections  on  both  sides;  —  each  parish  supposing 
it  necessary  to  have  the  services  of  its  own  separate  minister.  It 
was  hardly  supposeable  that  the  Society  in  England  would  be  will- 
ing to  divide  the  mission,  and  support  two  missionaries.  The  ob- 
ject, then,  could  be  effected  only  by  negociation  with  Mr  Plant ;  and 
they  believed  that  it  could  be  best  accomplished  by  making  him  Minister 
of  both  churches  and  obtaining  his  consent  to  appropriate  a  portion  of  his 
allowance  to  an  assistant :  —  upon  the  probable  presumption,  that  by  the 


22 

increase  of  the  two  sections,  both  nilaistcrs  \/ualil  ultimately  derive  ade- 
quate support.  After  considerable  discussion,  there  appears  to  have  been 
a  tacit  understanding,  by  -which  Mr  Plant  was  to  be  chosen  Rector, 
and  his  concurrence  was  given  to  a  division  of  his  stipend  from  the  Soci- 
ety in  England :  —  but  there  appears  to  have  been  some  hesitation  on 
both  sides  in  the  final  adjustment. 

During  this  state  of  aflairs,  the  Church,  called  St.  Paul's,  Avas  built  A.  D. 
1738.  —  Of  its  rise  and  progress  Mr  P.  gives  the  following  account  in  a 
letter,  explanatory  of  the  diflicullies,  before  mentioned,  to  the  Rev  Mr 
Bearcroft,  Sec.  of  the  Society  in  England,  where  he  says,  that  he  had  not 
been  here  more  than  2  or  3  yrs.  before  the  late  Gov.  Y/entworth  of  New- 
Hampshire  informed  him  of  unfavorable  feelings  towards  him  in  conse- 
quence of  his  not  acting  in  concert  with  the  plan  of  building  a  new 
church.  Many  years  after  this,  he  observes,  'Joseph  Atkins,  Esq.  as  we 
were  upon  a  journey  together  proposed  to  me  the  building  of  a  Church  by 
the  Water  side.  I  answered,  it  was  a  new  thing  and  required  time  to 
consider :  but  in  about  half  an  hour,  this  answer  was  returned,  '  I  don't 
know  but  it  will  do  very  well.' — Then  he  said  he  would  give  £50  towards 
it,  and  I  proposed  to  give  the  same  sum.  Here  was  laid  the  foundation 
of  a  new  church  by  the  water  side;  then  the  land  was  bought,  subscrip- 
tions took,  a  frame  bought,  hewed  and  time  fixed  for  raising  it,  &c.'  — 
This  letter  is  dated  July  10,  1745:  on  the  same  date  he  writes,  '  Then  1 
called  a  meeting  at  the  new  church,  delivered  them  the  Bible  and  Com- 
mon Prayer-book,  sent  out  by  the  society  for  that  Church,  and  a  record 
was  made  of  it  in  their  book,  signed  Anthony  Gwynn.  Capt.  Marquand 
was  absent.'* 

The  New  Church  of  St.  Paul's,  although  raised  A.  D.  173S,  appears  not 
to  have  been  sufficiently  finished  for  public  worship  until  near  the  close  of 
1740.1  Ai''ter  a  good  deal  of  discussion  between  the  parties  concerned, 
and  an  unavailing  correspondence  with  the  Society  in  England  on  the 
part  of  the  members  of  this  Church,  (informally  conducted,  as  Mr  P.  inti- 
mated,) the  following  instrument  was  agreed  upon,  signed  and  delivered. 

Neweuky,  Feb.  3,  1742. 
We  the  subscribers,  members  of  the  New  Church  in  Nev/bury,  called 
hy  the  name  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  desiring  the  worship  of  God  according 
to  the  Rubric  of  the  Church  of  England,  do  desire  and  do  make  choice  of 
the  Rev.  Mr  Matthias  Plant  as  our  Minister  to  officiate  and  carry  on  this 
said  worship  in  said  Church  of  St.  Paul's,  in  Newbury  aforesaid  —  in 

*This  record  is  found  in  the  records  of  St.  Paul's  church,  signed  as  a- 
bove  stated. 

t  It  was  not  entirely  finished  inside  until  1745. 


23 

witness  whereof  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hauds  this  day  and  year  ahovc 

written.  Mi  cii  a  e  l   D  alt  o  n  ,  j  ^.j^^^^j^  Wardens. 

Edmund  Cottle,     | 

Signed  by  ten  others. 

After  this  arrangement,  he  preached  at  stated  times  in  St.  Paul's  un- 
til the  following  November;  when  it  appears  that  this  instrument  had  be- 
come anew  source  of  dissension  :  regret  was  expressed  at  their  having 
given  it  to  Mr  P.;  and  he  gave  notice  of  this  new  slate  of  uneasiness 
to  his  own  parish  at  the  Plains ;  and  of  his  determination,  by  God's  assist- 
ance to  perform  divine  service  there  for  the  future  every  Lord's  day.— 
This  took  place  Dec.  20,  1742.  The  instrument  was  in  consequence  de- 
livered into  the  hands  of  Commissary  Price,  and  cancelled,  April  21, 1743.* 

*  During  this  period  of  trouble  with  St.  Paul's,  the  members  of  Queen 
Ann's  Chapel  sent  to  the  Soc.  in  Eng.  the  following  testimonial  of  their 
love  and  respect  toward  their  Minister. 

To  the  Rt.  Rev.    Rt.  Hon.  and  worthy  Members  of  the  Society  for  propa- 
gating the  Gospel,  &c. 

We  think  it  our  bounden  duty  to  return  our  hearty  tlianks  for  the  un- 
parallelled  favour  we  have  long  received  from  your  generous  bounty  in 
continuing  a  Missionary  amongst  us  for  upwards  of  twenty  years.  —  Ac- 
cept, we  humbly  pray  you,  of  our  hearty  thanks;  let  not  our  remissness 
be  an  occasion  of  our  punishment,  we  do  esteem  it  (under  the  providence 
of  God)  a  Great  Blessing  and  desire  the  continuance  of  it  —  Our  present 
minister  Rev.  M.  Plant  was  sent  over  to  us  in  the  year  1721  ;  and  hath 
to  our  great  comfort  continued  with  us  ever  since.  May  God  grant  him 
a  long  life  with  us,  and  he  merits  our  best  wishes  and  thanks;  and  truly 
we  have  been  exceedingly  happy  under  his  prudent  and  vigilant  care  of 
us.  — There  has  never  happened  in  the  length  of  time,  any  disputes  and 
contentions  ;  — but  a  perfect  series  of  tranquility  has  been  our  portion;  — 
and  we  are  peculiarly  happy  in  this  respect,  that  as  we  love  and  honour 
our  Rev.  Minister,  so  he  reciprocally  rejoices  in  the  good  will  and  favour 
of  his  people.  Though  our  number  may  not  equal  some  congregations, 
yet  we  can  vie  with  any  in  the  sincerity  of  our  thanks;  and  we  do  with 
one  heart  and  voice  pray  for  the  continuance  of  that  Ven.  Society,  whose 
pious  endeavours  do  so  greatly  tend  to  propagate  real  Christianity  in  the 
world;  and  may  the  same  merciful  God,  who  first  put  it  into  their  chris- 
tian hearts  to  send  us  a  Missionary,  still  incline  you  towards  us  is  the 
hearty  prayer  of  Your  Honour's  most  obed.  serv'ts. 

T^  T>     "     '  '       Church  Wardens. 

Ehud  Eartlett,^ 

New  Eng.  Newb.  Oct.  4,  1743.  [Signed] 

Josepli  Annis,  Abel  Huse,  Joseph  Annis,  jr.,  Jn.  Bailey,  Abel  Huse,  jr., 
Joseph  Annis,  jr.,  Jn.  Eayr,  Israel  Eartlett,  Christo.  Annis,  Skipper 
Lunt,  Joseph  Coiiin,  jr.,  George  Worlhen,  Jos.  Sawyer,  Benj.  Coffin, 
T.  Bartlett,  Jos.  Sawyer,  jr.."Batt.  Boulton,  Wm.  Currier,  Dan'l  Al- 
len, Joseph  Whitmore,  Moses  Merrill,  Thos.  Bartlett,  Joshua  Saw- 
yer, Enoch  Bartlett,  Jn.  Bartlett,  Gideon  Sawyer,  Isaac  Morss,  Benj. 
Long,  Wm.  Huse,  Isaac  Freese,  Steven  Fwogers,  Enoch  Davis,  Benj. 
Willet,  Moses  Sawyer,  Benj.  Davis,  John  Hook. 


24 

In  July  1745,  Mr  V.  wrote  a  long  letter  to  the  Society,  justifying  him-' 
self  from  the  charge  of  having  failed  in  fulfilling  the  agreement  to  allow 
X  20  or  £  30  sterling  toward  the  support  of  a  separate  Minister  at  St. 
Paul's.  He  considers  the  difficulties  to  have  arisen  in  part  from  their 
refusal  of  induction  to  him  as  chief  minister  of  the  Church  ;  and  of 
his  right  to  choose  the  Senior  Warden.  In  1747,  a  document  was 
drawn  up  agreeably  to  directions  received  from  the  society,  purporting  to 
be  a  bond  allowing  £20  toward  the  salary  of  an  assistant ;  but  the  claims 
of  the  members  to  invite  into  or  exclude  from  the  pulpit  whom  they  pleas- 
ed, presented  a  new  obstacle  to  the  adjustment.  This  claim  Mr  P.  firm- 
ly resisted,  as  materially  interfering  with  the  rights  of  the  Clergy,  and 
the  discipline  of  the  church  ;  and  was  resolved  never  to  admit  it.  This 
protracted  the  difficulty  until  the  year  1751 ; — during  which  period,  there 
was  a  consultation  in  Boston  between  Messrs  Marquand  and  Roberts  of 
ihis  church  —  and  Drs  Cuttler  and  Caner,  of  Boston,  on  the  subject  of 
•sending  over  a  candidate  for  orders,  whose  name  is  not  mentioned.  A 
Mr  Wingate  is  also  spoken  of  as  having  this  object  in  view ;  but  after- 
terward  declined.  At  length  in  June  24,  1751,  the  terms  for  settling  this 
dissension  were  agreed  on,  the  independence  of  the  Gent,  at  the  water  side 
was  relinquished,  and  Mr  P.  was  legally  inducted  into  the  Rectorship  of 
St.  Paul's  Church.* 

In  the  minutes  of  his  occasional  labours  in  St  Paul's  Church  during  the 
period  of  this  dispute,  he  takes  notice  of  the  smallness  of  the  audiences, 
composed  of  10  or  12  men  and  of  2  or  3  women  ;  and  on  one  occasion  he 
mentions  7  men  and  1  woman ;  probably  owing  in  some  degree  to  the 
existing  state  of  irritation.      During  the  same  period,  he  enumerates,  as 


*  In  consequence  of  which  he  penned  the  following  letter  to  the  Secre- 
■ary  —  dated 

December  23,  1751. 

Rev.  Dr.  —  In  a  letter  I  received  from  you,  bearing  date  of  Octo- 
ber 21,  1747,  sent  by  Mr  McGilchrist,  and  received  by  me  March 
25,  1746,  I  am  there  recommended  upon  ray  being  the  Chief  Minister  of 
the  whole  parish  of  Newbury,  to  make  good  my  promise  of  paying  annu- 
ally X20  sterling  to  some  young  candidate,  when  admitted  into  holy  or- 
■ders,  to  be  my  assistant  at  St  Paul's  Church  in  Newbury.  The  Propri- 
etors having  given  me  Induction  into  the  said  church  June  24, 1,  to  comply 
with  the  society's  directions,  have  made  choice  of  Mr  Edward  Bass,  the 
bearer  hereof  to  assist  me  in  the  said  office,  when  admitted  into  orders, 
romising  to  pay  Mr  Bass  annually  £20  sterling,  according  to  the  truepur- 
port  and  meaning  of  the  society's  directions  in  that  affair  ;  humbly  praying 
the  society  to  recommend  Mr  B.  to  my  Ld.  Bp.  to  be  admitted  into  orders, 
that  he  may  as  soon  as  possible  return  to  my  assistance,  who  now  labour 
under  a  weak  disposition.  Mr  B.  came  to  me  so  well  recommended  that 
T  verily  believe  he  will  be  of  service  in  the  church  and  especially  in  New- 
bury, t.hc  place  designed  for  his  residence.  M.  P. 


25 

belonging  to  Queen  Ann's  Chapel,  50  Communicants  and  from  150  to  200 
stated  hearers.* 

Mr  Plant  appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  strict  iategrity,  and  of  a  high 
sense  of  decorum,  and  of  the  distinctive  rights  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity. 
He  was  exact  and  methodical ;  punctual  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his 
station  ;  and  anxious  that  Clergy  and  Laity  should  each  move  in  their  dis- 
tinct sphere,  without  interference.  It  had  been  intimated  to  '  the  Society' 
that  he  had  sometimes  appeared  in  public  not  suitably  habited  according 
to  the  Canons  ;  —  which  he  resents,  as  a  groundless  charge,  averring  that 
he  had  not  even  attended  the  funeral  of  a  child  'without  his  bands'  — 
though  he  had  been  obliged  to  ride  some  miles  to  attend  it.  Li  his  diffi- 
culties with  the  members  of  St.  Paul's,  there  appear  to  have  been  some 
important  principles  involved,  which  he  resolutely  defended. — These  were 
connected  with  the  Minister's  right  to  control  the  concerns  of  the  church 
within  the  limits  of  his  particular  mission,  which  the  members  of  St, 
Paul's  seemed  disposed  partially  to  contest;  but  which  deviation  from 
order,  the  Society  in  England  would  not  sanction.  Though  disposed  to 
encourage  the  new  church,  the  Society  made  it  a  condition,  that  his 
authority  should  be  recognized,  previous  to  relinquishing  the  sum,  propos- 
ed for  an  assistant.  Amid  the  angry  feelings  produced  by  the  contro- 
versy, it  may  not  be  doing  injustice  perhaps,  to  Mr  P.  to  suppose,  that  he 
Avas  somewhat  too  distant  and  unrelenting ;  and  that  the  reluctance  felt  at 
dividing  his  stipend,  caused  some  unnecessary  delay  in  the  final  adjust- 
ment.    Still  he  deserves  the  credit  of  having  retained  a  right,  which,  it 

*His  private  records  contain  the  following  notice  of  an  Episcopal 
church  at  Amesbury,  in  the  copy  of  a  letter  to  Dr  Bearcroft,  (probably 
1745.) 

Rev.  Dr.  —  You  will  not  think  it  amiss,  if  I  inform  you,  that  I  have  a 
pretty  Church  at  Amesburyon  the  other  side  of  Merrimack  River.  I  gave 
a  calf  towards  a  dinner  for  the  men  who  raised  it,  and  £5  this  currency 
for  nails  towards  shingling  it.  I  was  going  to  send  for  glass  to  England 
for  it ;  but  this  unhappy  quarrel  —  (probably  with  the  people  of  St  Paul's) 
arising,  I  forbore  —  but  it  is  worthy  the  notice  of  that  Venerable  Body.  — 
I  have  preached  there  for  many  years,  in  a  house,  before  the  Church  Avas 
built,  and  since  in  the  Church,  where  I  also  had  a  numerous  congrega- 
tion. M.  P. 

The  names  of  Sam'l  Weed  and  William  Pressy  are  recorded,  as  hav- 
ing conformed  as  early  as  1716,  Edw'd  Young,  of  Salisbury,  Sept.  26, 
1720.  May  21,  1722.  Mr  Nichols,  George  Worthen,  of  Amesbury,  Mr 
Leyden,  of  Salisbury,  —  declared  themselves  for  the  Church.  Also,'Eph- 
raim  Buswell,  May  14th  1722. 

Mr  P.  has  left  a  notice  of  the  following  description  —  which  needs  ex- 
planation. 

'  I  have  12  acres  to  the  use  of  my  church  which  1  hav«  been  in  posses- 
sion of  for  liiany  years.' 


26 

appears,  the  Boston  Clergy  had  heen  obliged  partially  to  relinquish.*  — 
His  regard  also  to  the  welfare  of  the  portion  of  his  flock,  worshipping  in 
Queen  Ann's  Chapel,  —  as  he  foresaw  there  might  be  some  collision  be- 
tween the  two  churches  after  his  death,  deserves  approbation.  But  for  the 
change  in  the  political  affairs  of  our  country,  the  effects  of  his  wisdom 
and  forecast  would  have  been  evinced  in  the  present  flourishing  condition 
of  both  churches. 

He  was  highly  respected  by  his  parishioners  and  by  other  denomina- 
tions; although  he  had  to  pass  through  scenes  which  required  extraordinary 
prudence  and  firmness. —He  kept  aloof  from  the  strong  excitements  of 
the  day,  produced  by  the  earlier  visits  of  the  Kev.  Mr  Whitefield,  — the 
propriety  of  whose  movements  was  doubted  by  many  of  the  orthodox 
teachers  among  other  denominations,  and  afterwards  by  himself.  While 
other  parishes  lost  a  large  share  of  the  members,  he  says,  that  not  one  of 
his  flock  deserted  the  church. t 

*  History  of  Stone  Chapel,  Boston,  by  Rev  Mr  Greenwood. 

fHis  own  zeal  for  the  distinctive  doctrines  of  the  church  was  manifested 
at  a  visit  to  Gov  Belcher  in  Boston,  on  one  of  the  Princess's  birth-days.  — 
'  Several  gentlemen  being  personally  attending,  we  all  then  present  were 
invited  to  dine  with  the  Gov.  His  Excellency  says  to  Capt  Atkins,  When 
did  you  see  my  mother  Partridge?  how  does  she  do?  Capt  A.  replied,  I 
saw  her  on  Sunday  in  the  afternoon  at  Mr  Lowell's  meeting.  Says  the 
Gov.  '  you  call  ours  the  Meeting-house  and  yours  the  Church  ;  but  you 
should  call  ours  ''the  church''  and  yours  the  meeting.  —  The  Ctov  then  added, 
when  I  was  in  England,  I  waited  upon  Viscount  Townshend,  and  talking 
of  the  state  of  the  church  in  N.  E.  says  his  Lordship,  I  suppose  you  call 
the  Church  people  Dissenters  there,  and  yours  the  Church ;  as  we  here 
call  ourselves  the  Church,  and  you,  Dissenters —  so  that  lue  are  the  church 
and  you  Dissenters,  says  the  Gov.  —  Dr.  Harward,  the  Assistant  at  the 
King's  Chapel,  being  my  senior,  I  waited  to  see  what  answer  he  would  re- 
turn to  his  Excellency's  speech;  (resolving  it  should  not  want  an  answer.) 
Every  person  present  being  silent,  and  Mr  Harward  and  Esq.  Atkins,  the 
only  two  persons  of  the  church,  —  being  seemingly  thunderstruck,  —  I 
thus  addressed  myself  to  the  Governour.  May  it  please  your  Excellency, 
I  do  not  know,  what  my  Lord  Townshend  may  say  to  you  in  his  cham- 
ber, nor  what  his  opinion  was  in  his  study,  but  if  he  expressed  himself  in 
these  terms  to  your  Excellency  his  opinion  was  in  direct  opposition  to  the 
Lords  Justices, who  in  their  letter  toLt  Gov.  Diimmer,  ordered  their  Secre- 
tary to  inform  him,  that  they  had  no  regular  establishment  of  any  church 
in  this  Province;  neither  have  you,  says  I  to  the  Gov.  any  other  establish- 
ment, but  what  is  on  the  same  footing  ivith  the  sectaries,  viz.  the  Act  of 
toleration.  I  went  on  very  warmly  tor  two  or  three  minutes ;  but  the 
Gov.  put  a  stop  to  me  by  saying,  Mr  P.  'I  shall  not  dispute  the  affair  with 
you  ;'  nor  '  I  with  your  Excellency.'  When  Mr  Harward  and  myself  re- 
turned from  the  Gov's  house,  I  asked  him,  whether  he  took  notice  of  the 
affront  he  attempted  to  put  upon  two  Clergymen  in  their  habit.  He  said, 
'yes.'  I  asked  him,  why  he  did  not  give  the  Gov.  an  answer  ?  He  said 
to  me,  —  I  do  not  give  myself  any  trouble  about  such  things ;  I  dine  with 
him  often,  and  do  not  feel  disposed  to  dispute  him,  Sec.  —  You  can't  help 


27 

He  did  not  long  survive  the  peaceful  arrangement  with  St.  Paul's.  — 
He  had  contributed  generously  to  the  expense  of  building  it ;  subscribed 
£  50  toward  it;  given  the  glass  —  and  the  dinner  at  the  raising,  — and 
paid  £60  toward  liquidating  its  arrearages.  He  paid  as  he  thought,  full 
one  eighth  part  toward  the  whole  expense.  He  died  on  the  2d  April  1753, 
aged  61.* 

Rev.  Mr  Edavakd  Bass,  the  fourth  minister,  a  native  of  Dorchester,  Ms. 
and  graduate  of  Harvard  University  in  1744,  succeeded  the  Rev.  Mr  Plant. 
At  the  invitation  of  the  members  of  this  Church,  he  went  to  England  for 
orders;  and  on  the  24th  May  1752  was  ordained  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas 
Sherlock,  D.  D.  Bishop  of  London,  in  his  Chapel  at  Fulham,  and  in  the 
Autumn  of  the  same  year,  took  charge  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Newbury.  — 
In  1789  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  conferred  on  hiin  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity.  In  1796  he  was  elected  the  first  Bishop  of  Massa- 
chusetts, and  on  the  7th  of  May  1797,  was  consecrated  in  Christ-church, 
Philadelphia,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  William  White,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Bps.  Provost  and  Clagget  being  present  and  assisting.  On  the 
27th,  he  was  received  and  acknowledged  in  the  most  affectionate  and  re- 
spectful manner  by  the  Clergy  of  his  Diocese,  then  assembled  in  Trinity 
Church,  Boston.  The  States  of  Rhode-Island  and  Nev/-Hampshire  soon 
after  placed  themselves  under  his  jurisdiction. 

The  earliest  record  remaining  of  St.  Paul's  is  dated  Nov.  22,  1741  ; 
and  is  an  account  with  Michael  Dallon  of  debt  and  credit,  —  on  which 
date  he  gives  credit  for  £2,  IDs.  2d. —  by  contribution ;  from  which  it  is 

yourself,  if  they  do  say  so  of  you ;  what  signifies  it  to  you  to  show  your 
resentment?  They  do  not  in  Eng.  mind  us  that  are  here  —  I  then  said  to 
Mr  Harward,  I  am  sorry  you  are  tied  so  fast  by  the  teeth,  as  not  to  resent 
such  a  designed  affront  as  this  was  ;  for  my  part,  I'll  eat  bread  and  cheese, 
so  long  as  I  live,  before  I'll  sneak  to  the  Gov.  for  a  dinner  and  at  his  ta- 
ble hear  myself  called  a  Dissenter  and  my  church  represented  a  Conven- 
ticle.' 

*  He  married  Miss  Lydia  Bartlett,  daughter  of  Mr  Samuel  Bartlett, 
Dec.  27,  1722.  She  died  Oct.  8th  1753,  aged  66.  They  left  no  posterity. 
She  left  an  excellent  character  —  being  a  notable  housewife,  —  and  able, 
to  adapt  herself  to  all  classes  of  society. 

A  simple  stone  of  slate  marks  his  grave,  with  this  inscription  : 
Here  lies  buried 
the   body  of  the   Rev   Mr   Matthias    Plant, 
born  in  Staffordshire  in  Great  Britain, 
Minister  of  this   Cliurch,    and   Rector   of  St.    Paul's ; 
Obit.  Apr.  2, 1744.     jEtatis  62. 
He  built  a  neat  dwelling  house,  pleasantly  situated  on  the  Merrimack, 
near  the  present  Essex  Mer.  Bridge  —  Avhich  was  afterwards  occupied  as 
an  Almshouse,  and  has  since  been  removed  ;  a  portion   of  it  is   still   re- 
maining on  the  old  situation. 


28 

probable  that  public  worship  had  been  perlormeti  in  it  some  time  previous. 
This  accoant  is  debited  to  seven  pounds,  paid  Mr  Plant,  for  seven  Sun- 
days, dated  July  26,  1742.  August  8th,  20s,  do.  Oct.  25,  Paid  Mr  Plant 
for  five  days  —  £5.  Subscriptions  were  made  in  April,  1743,  for  building 
23  pews  in  the  body  of  the  church.  April  24th  of  the  same  year.  Commis- 
sary Price  preached  in  the  church,  and  a  collection  of  £7.  6s.  6d.  was 
made.  May  1,  1744,  a  meeting  of  the  Wardens  and  Vestry  washolden  to 
meet  Mr  Plant  and  give  an  answer  to  his  request,  in  his  letter  of  20th  April. 
'  We  warned  him  of  our  meeting  by  letter  24  April,  and  warned  the  rest 
of  the  proprietors,  most  of  whom  were  present.  Mr  Plant  did  not  meet 
us :  we  had  the  books  and  papers  belonging  to  the  church,  ready  for  his 
or  any  of  ye  proprietors'  Inspection.  Ashe  did  not  come  we  proceeded 
to  business  without  him  :  we  agreed  with  the  Joiners  to  build  32  pews  in 
ye  body  of  ye  church  — one  for  the  Wardens ;  one  for  strangers  ;  the  re- 
mainder the  subscribers  drew  lots  for  and  belong  to  ye  following  persons  : 
Joseph  Atkins,  4  pews  ;  Thos.  Tannatt,  3 ;  Patrick  Tracy,  2 ;  Jos.  Cottle, 
3;  John  Crocker,  1;  Michael  Dalton,  2;  Wm.  Atkins,  1,  Benj.  Harris, 
2 ;  Edmund  Cottle,  1 ;  Witter  Cummings,  2 ;  Wm.  Jaques,  1 ;  Thomas 
Woodbrige,  1 ;  Ambrose  Davis,  1  ;  Jos.  Greenleaf,  1  ;  Daniel  Marquand, 
1 ;  Antho.  Gwynn,  1;  Jonathan  Connolly,  1  ;  Elias  Jackraan,  1 ;  Ebenezer 
Wise,  1.* 

The  first  meeting  for  the  choice  of  Wardens  and  Vestry  is  dated  1745  ; 
at  which  Capt.  Daniel  Marquand  and  Anthony  Gwynn  were  chosen. — 
The  following  vote  was  passed  October  27,  1749.  That  the  said  Church 
Wardens,  viz  :  Wm.  Atkins  and  Thos.  Woodbridge,  should  write  to  the 
Rev.  Mr  Quincy,  (who  had  preached  in  said  Church  and  now  in  Boston) 
to  invite  him  up  to  preach  in  said  church  ;  — for  which  service  it  is  agreed 
to  give  him  Eight  Pounds  Old  Tenor  per  week  and  pay  his  board.  In 
Jan.  1753,  a  meeting  was  held  and  a  committee  chosen,  consisting  of 
Capt.  Michael  Dalton  and  three  others  to  build  a  porch  and  front  gallery ; 
also  the  same  year,  another  meeting  was  held  to  settle  the  accounts  of  the 
church  and  rate  the  pews,  to  meet  the  outstanding  debts;  —  the  best 
pews  were  rated  at  five  shillings  per  Sunday,  Old  Tenor,  The  members 
of  St.  Paul's  were  at  the  expense  of  building  their  church,  keeping  it  in 
repair,  —  raising  £40  toward  paying  the  salary  of  their  Minister,  and 
paying  his  house-rent,  in  order  to  be  entitled  to  £  30  from  the  society  in 
England,  or  this  moiety  of  the  sum  allowed  for  the  mission  at  Newbury. 

Mr  Bass  commenced  his  labours  in  the  autumn  of  1752  and  Mr  Plant 
died  in  April  following.     Of  the  reception  of  Mr  B.  or  the  particular  mode 

*  On  the  list  of  contributors  to  the  Church  in  addition  to  the  above,  are 
the  names  of  Mr  Plant  who  gave  £50  and  afterwards  added  £60  more  ; 
Thomas  Smith,  Capt.  James  Simmons,  Capt.  Butler,  William  Jenkins, 
John  Mace,  Robert  Barrott,  John  Webster,  William  Green.  —  The  Join- 
ers contracted  with,  were  Eben  and  Nathan  Little.  The  Masonry  was 
done  by  Ephraim  Blaisdale. 


29 

of  induction,  there  is  no  record.  He  recorded  the  burial  of  Mr  P.  on  the 
5th  April,  1753,  and  his  general  records  of  baptisms,  &c.  commenced  the 
same  year.  The  first  notice  of  the  Mmister  is  to  be  found  in  the  records 
of  1755,  when  the  proprietors  voted  to  pay  to  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass  £225 
Old  Tenor,  to  be  raised  by  subscription.  This  was  probably  raised  in  ad- 
dition to  £60,  allowed  from  England.  During  the  same  year  the  Organ 
was  bought  of  Charles  Apthorp,  Esq.  of  Boston,  Treasurer  of  King's 
Chapel.  This  organ  was  the  oldesl  in  New  England.  An  altar-piece 
appears  to  have  been  received  at  the  same  time.  The  eld  organ  Avas 
taken  down  and  a  new  one  placed  in  its  stead,  Christmas  1834.  —  The  old 
organ  was  placed  in  the  Vestry,  and  afterward  sold  for  the  use  of  the 
Chapel  of  St.  John's  Church,  Portsmouth. 

Mr  Bass,  officiated  in  Queen  Ann's  Chapel  once  a  month,  till  1766.  — 
At  a  meeting  of  the  proprietors,  that  year,  it  was  '  Voted,  that  whereas,  £  6 
sterling  hath  been  kept  back  from  the  Rev.  Edward  Bass  on  account  of 
his  attending  Queen's  Chapel  one  Sunday  every  month;  and  whereas  he 
has  now  done  attending  on  said  chapel,  that  the  Church-Wardens  pay 
the  Rev.  Ed.  Bass  six  Pounds  sterling  above  the  twenty  four  Pounds, 
which  they  usually  paid  ;  and  also  Voted  that  the  Church- Wardens  col- 
lect six  Pounds  from  all  those  who  attend  the  public  Worship  at  Saint 
Paul's  Church  wherever  they  belong.'  The  Church  at  the  Plains  being 
thus  deserted,  soon  Avent  to  decay,  and  in  about  ten  or  twelve  years  after 
was  blown  down.  —  The  materials  were  left  to  the  disposal  of  those,  who 
were  inclined  to  appropriate  them  to  personal  or  other  use.  The  furniture 
had  been  deposited,  by  a  Vote  of  the  Vestry,  in  the  hands  of  Mr  Joshua 
Bailey,  till  called  for.  The  pews  were  used  to  finish  the  gallery  of  the 
adjoining  Meeting-house.  The  bell,  with  the  following  label  on  it,  '  pre- 
sented to  Queen  Ann's  Chapel  by  the  Bishop  of  London,"  is  now  in  the 
belfrey  of  the  Belleville  Meeting-house.  The  christening-bason,  which 
is  of  silver,  is  in  the  possession  of  St.  Paul's ;  but  the  Bible  and  Prayer- 
book  have  disappeared. 

From  this  period  to  the  separation  of  the  Colonies  from  Great  Britain, 
and  the  dissolution  of  their  connection  with  the  Bishop  of  London,  to 
whose  Diocese  they  were  attached,  the  annals  of  this  church  appear  to  be 
marked  by  no  events  of  deep  interest.  The  Rector  pursued  the  regular 
course  of  his  ministry  in  the  bosom  of  his  flock,  and  in  the  reciprocity 
of  mutual  esteem  and  affection.  The  congregation  was  composed  of  a 
portion  of  the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  town;  and  the  interven- 
ing period  is  distinguished  by  the  names  of  Atkins,  Dalton,  Tracy,  Mar- 
quand.  Hooper,  Jackson,  Harris,  King,  Roberts,  Jenkins,  Woodbridge, 
Balch,  Cutler,  Rand,  Coffin,  and  others  ;  who  took  an  active  part  in  its 
concerns.  This  was  the  Augustan  age  of  the  town.  There  may  have 
been  since,  more  wealth  and  a  larger  population  ;  but  there  has  been  no 
period,  more  distinguished  for  urbanity  and  politeness,  and  the  free  exer- 


30 

ciso  of  social  intercourse.  The  revolution,  which  proved  fatal  to  the  for- 
tunes of  many,  and  produced  considerable  changes  in  the  community,  has 
not  yet  restored  the  affability,  courtesy  and  sprightliness  of  that  period. 
No  observer  can  help  noticing  the  change,  by  whatever  cause  it  may  have 
been  produced.  The  all  absorbing  subjects  of  patriotism,  liberty  and  inde- 
pendence, have  prevented  a  regard  to  the  more  trifling  concerns  of  personal 
comfort  and  social  enjoyment.  Occasional  effusions  of  this  lofty,  patriot- 
ic spirit  occasionally  broke  in  upon  the  peace  and  quietude  of  the  Church  ; 
and  a  few  sacrificed  their  religion  to  their  politics,  and  seceded  from  the 
church,  because  prayers  were  offered  for  their  supposed  enemies.  The  un- 
easiness became  such,  at  length,  that  the  Wardens  and  Vestry  requested 
the  omission  of  the  prayers  for  the  Royal  family,  as  a  measure  necessary 
for  the  preservation  of  the  church.  With  this  Mr  Bass  complied,  at  the 
risk  of  incurring  the  displeasure  of  his  employers  abroad.  His  situation 
was  one  of  extreme  difficulty.  Although  bound  by  the  oath  of  allegiance 
to  his  king  and  of  obedience  to  the  Church  ;  yet  he  felt  all  the  ties  of  kin- 
dred and  country ;  and  the  sacrifice  of  personal  comfort  and  of  foreign  ob- 
ligations, seemed  to  be  demanded  by  the  pressing  exigency  of  the  case, 
by  the  success  of  religion  and  the  superior  call  of  his  country  and  his 
home.  He  therefore  yielded  to  necessity  and  cheerfully  endured  the  per- 
sonal privations  which  he  knew  must  follow.  His  connection  with  the 
Society  was  thence  forward  dissolved,  and  he  became  entirely  dependent 
on  his  parish  for  future  support. 

The  consequences  of  this  compliance  on  the  part  of  the  Minis- 
ter were,  the  quieting  of  uneasiness  among  the  dissatisfied  members, 
and  the  uninterrupted  performance  of  public  worship,  agreeably  to 
the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  during  the  turbulent 
scenes  of  the  revolution.  The  principal  reasons  assigned  by  the  Society 
for  discontinuing  the  missionary  services  of  Mr  B.  were,  the  opening  of 
his  church  on  a  public  fast  appointed  by  the  civil  authority,  and  taking- up 
a  contribution  for  the  relief  of  sufferers  in  what  was  called  '  the  rebellion ;' 
to  which  it  was  viewed  as  giving  countenance.  His  services  were  therelOTe 
discontinued,  and  the  remittance  of  salary  Avithdrawn.  He  complained 
to  the  Society  of  this  act,  and  endeavored  to  convince  them  of  the  propri- 
ety of  his  proceeding :  but  they  remained  deaf  to  his  reasonings  and  inex- 
orable to  his  entreaties.  This  might  be  thought  a  hard  case ;  and  by 
some,  deemed  a  sufficient  reason  for  abandoning  the  church.  It  would  be 
so,  if  mere  expediency  had  been  the  sole  or  chief  reason  for  being  a  Church- 
man. But  there  was  a  wide  difference  between  the  excellence  of  a  cause 
and  the  mismanagement  of  its  concerns  ;  and  no  good  man  will  abandon 
truth,  because  he  sustains  inconvenience  in  its  support.     Much  however 


31 

may  be  said  on  both  sides.  The  Society  no  doubt  considered  themselves 
as  having  good  reason  for  the  course  they  pursued  :  but  this  is  not  the 
place  to  settle  this  question. 

The  benevolence  of  Mr  Bass,  and  his  readiness  to  perform  deeds  of 
charity  had  not  conduced  to  ease  of  circumstances,  although  his  family 
was  small ;  he  was  therefore  severely  pinched  by  the  change.  But  in 
these  times,  '  which  tried  men's  souls,'  he  willingly  bore  his  part  in  the 
common  calamities.  At  the  close  of  the  war  of  the  revolution,  the  Epis- 
copal Church  was  left  in  a  hazardous  condition.  Disjoined  from  the  Moth- 
er Church;^  the  members  detached  from  each  other,  with  no  visible  bond 
of  union, —  exposed  to  the  influence  of  crude  speculations  and  errors, 
which  began  to  abound  and  prevail,  — and  highly  excited  by  the  spirit  of 
liberty  and  independence,  Avhich  at  times  seemed  verging  to  licentiousness; 
— it  appeared  quite  doubtful  at  first,  whether  the  conservative  principles  of 
the  Church  would  be  sufficiently  operative,  to  collect  the  dissevered  mem- 
bers ;  or  whether  the  bond  of  peace  and  unity  had  survived  the  shock  of 
civil  and  political  strife,  with  influence  enough  to  collect  and  bind  the 
scattered  fragments  into  one  compact  body.  The  experiment  was  made, 
and  thanks  be  to  God,  and  the  blessed  influences  of  his  Spirit  on  the 
heartsof  its  members,  —  made  with  success.  With  one  mind  and  heart 
the  members  looked  around  for  the  moving  Spirit  which  was  to  restore 
them  to  order,  and  '  compact  them  by  that  which  every  joint  supplieth.' 

To  understand  the  difficulties  attending  the  position  of  the  Church  at 
tills  period,  it  should  be  known,  that  in  its  former  state,  it  was  an  integral 
part  of  the  Church  of  England,  with  the  Bishop  of  London  as  its  visible 
head ;  from  which,  by  the  separation  of  the  Colonies,  it  was  civilly  dissev- 
ered ;  and  so  far  as  it  had  any  legal  existence,  could  be  known  only  as 
the  American  Church,  or  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States. — 
But  its  organization  was  incomplete  :  it  had  no  visible  head;  being  desti- 
tute of  that  order  in  the  ministry,  to  whicii  the  jurisdiction  of  the  church- 
es in  general,  and  the  conveying  of  holy  orders  in  particular,  had  been 
originally  committed,  from  the  days  of  the  Apostles. 

Candidates  for  the  ministry  had  therefore  been  sent  from  this  country 
to  England,  for  ordination;  and  were  there,  first  ordained  Deacons,  and 
then  Priests,  before  their  return.  On  this  account,  the  order  of  Dea- 
cons had  become  less  knoAvn  and  understood  in  this  Country.  It  became 
necessary  to  supply  this  defect  and  obtain  the  consecration  of  suitable 
persons,  as  Bishops  for  this  Church.  The  suggestion  at  first  created  some 
alarm  among  the  other  denominations  ;  but  it  was  discovered  in  the  re- 
sult, that  Bishops  were  quite  harmless.  Dr.  Seabury  was  first  sent  from 
the  State  of  Connecticut.  But  the  Canons  for  consecrating  Bishops  in 
England  requiring  some  modification  for  such  a  juncture ;  he  deemed  it 


32 

inexpedient  to  wait  tlie  tardy  process  of  parliamentary  enactment,  and  ob- 
tained consecration  from  the  non-juring  Bishops  in  Scotland.  The  diffi- 
culties in  England  were  afterwards  removed ;  and  Drs.  White  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Provost  of  New  York,  and  Madison  of  Virginia,  were  conse- 
crated by  the  Most  Rev.  John  Moore,  Archbp.  of  Canterbury,  and  other 
Bishops  assisting.  The  apostolic  succession  was  thus  completed,  and 
the  American  church  regularly  organized. 

St.  Paul's  Church,  in  this  town,  being  composed  of  men  of  enlarged 
views  and  extensive  influence,  was  early  active  in  its  efforts  to  aid  in  ac- 
complishing this  organization.  But  among  these  efforts,  the  elements  of 
order  and  confusion  were  singularly  blended  together ;  the  chastened  spir- 
it of  piety  and  zeal  for  the  church  was  mingled  with  the  flame  of  religious 
freedom  and  jealousy  of  ecclesiastical  domination ;  and  eagerness  for 
sound  doctrine,  with  a  lurking  disposition  to  listen  to  the  (falsely  called) 
liberal  a.i-i.d  innovating  spirit,  which  had  sprung  up  amid  the  agitations  and 
disturbances  of  the  revolution.  The  conservative  principles  of  the  Church, 
however  prevailed ;  the  proposed  alterations  in  the  liturgy  were  few  and 
not  essential,  —  not  impugning  its  doctrinal  articles  ;  —  but  chiefly 
of  a  local  description  and  agreeing  mainly  with  Avhat  was  generally 
known  among  Episcopalians  as  '  The  proposed  Booh.'' 

Soon  after  the  peace,  a  delegate  Avas  chosen  to  attend  a  Convention  to 
be  holden  at  Boston  7th  Sept.  1785,  '  for  the  purpose  of  deliberating  upon 
some  plan  ot  maintaining  uniformity  in  divine  worship.'  The  Hon  Tris- 
tram Dalton  was  chosen ;  to  whom  extensive  instructions  were  given  as 
to  the  measures  to  be  pursued  and  the  objects  to  be  accomplished.  On 
the  18th  of  the  same  month,  the  doings  of  this  Convention  were  report- 
ed to  a  full  meeting,  acted  on  by  paragraphs  and  unanimously  adopted. 

A  General  Conv^ention  of  the  Episcopal  Church  having  been  summoned 
to  meet  at  Philadelphia,  Sept.  1789 ;  serious  apprehensions  were  enter- 
tained by  influential  members  of  this  congregation,  at  a  rumour  of  an 
attempt  about  to  be  made  by  the  churches  of  the  Middle  and  Southern 
States,  to  elect  and  seta  Bishop  over  the  church  in  Mass.fc  N.  Hampshire. 
Their  fears  however  proved  groundless;  but  they  led,  at  the  time,  to  an 
address  to  these  States  and  E.h.  Island,  inviting  the  churches  to  unite  in 
the  choice  of  Lay  deputies,  to  meet  at  Salem  for  consultation.  The  ob- 
ject to  be  proposed  Ayas,  to  choose  one  or  more  Lay  deputies  to  represent 
them  in  the  Gen.  Convention  to  'be  holden  at  Philadelphia  on  29th  Sept. 
next' ;  with  instructions  as  to  their  proceedings.  The  part  taken  by  Dr. 
Bass  on  these  points  does  not  appear,  but  it  is  manifest,  that  from  some 
unknown  cause,  jealousy  of  the  views  and  designs  of  the  Clergy  had  been 
excited;  but  it  did  not  spread  far,  nor  continue  long.  The  proposition  was 
favourably  met  by  neither  of  the  churches  written  to,  except  Holderness, 
N.  H.  In  declining  the  proposed  meeting  they  expressed  entire  confi- 
dence in  the  views  of  the  clergy.     The  meeting,  of  course,  was  not  hold- 


33 

en:  but  at  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  proprietors  of  St.  Paul's,  votes 
were  passed  '  denying  the  power  of  any  ecclesiastical  body  to  bind  the 
churches,  unless  represented  by  the  Laity,  as  well  as  Clergy ;  —  and  as 
Dr  Parker  of  Trinity  Church,  Boston,  had  been  chosen  to  represent  the 
Church  in  Mass.  and  N.  H.,  yet  he  could  act  only  for  the  Clergy  :  —  two 
lay  delegates  ought  therefore  to  be  appointed.  "Wherefore,  Voted,  that 
this  congregation  proceed  to  elect  two  Delegates  to  represent  the  Laity  of 
this  church  at  the  said  Convention.'*  —  The  Hon.  T.  Dalton  and  Hon. 
Elbridge  Gerry  were  unanimously  chosen ;  to  whom  copious  and  explicit 
instructions  were  given  and  signed  by  the  Committee. 

The  Convention  of  Mass.  met  at  Salem  on  the  fifth  October  1790 
to  consider  the  doings  of  the  late  General  Convention,  to  prepare  a  Consti- 
tution for  Mass.  and  to  act  on  any  other  matters  that  might  be  thought 
expedient.  Hon.  T.  Dalton  and  D.  A.  Tyng,  Esq.  were  chosen  dele- 
gates. The  Ecclesiastical  Constitution  of  Mass.  was  adopted  by  this 
Church  Jan.  16th  1791,  and  the  same  delegates,  with  Hon.  Jona.  Jack- 
son and  Mr  Lewis  Jenkins  were  a  Committee  to  ratify  the  same,  at  the 
next  Convention  in  Boston  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  January  current. 

The  Ecclesiastical  Constitution  of  Mass.  having  been  thus  warily  con- 
sidered, was  finally  adopted  by  all  the  Churches,  and  the  Church  of  the  U. 
S.  thus  became  completely  organized.  All  difficulties  being  settled  and 
jealousies  removed,  the  afluiirs  of  this  church  proceeded  with  great  harmo- 
ny; and  Mr  B.  continued,  until  the  close  of  life,  in  the  discharge  of  his 
parochial  duties.  His  amiable  disposition,  unassuming  manners  and 
catholic  views  endeared  him  to  his  parishioners,  and  secured  the  respect 
and  esteem  of  all  denominations.  To  uncommon  equanimity  of  temper 
it  was  probably  owing,  that  he  was  enabled  to  pass  undisturbed  through 
scenes,  unusually  vexatious  and  embarrassing ;  and  to  look,  Avith  com- 
posure, on  the  fierce  conflicts  of  theological  and  political  warfare.! 
There  was  a  dryness  and  piquancy  in  his  wit,  which,  though  it  might  oc- 
casionally wound,  never  offended;  and  many  of  his  pointed  and  pithy  re- 
marks are  preserved  and  repeated  at  this  day.  He  was  grave,  courteous 
and  gentlemanly  in  his  manners,  dignified  in  his  person,  and  in  every 
respect  the  excellent  pattern  of  a  parish-priest.  He  was  ever  the 
welcome  guest  at  the  fire-side,  free  and  familiar  with  all  classes,  —  sooth- 
ing the  griefs  of  the  afflicted,  easy  of  access  to  all  and  able  in  counsel  to 

*Gen.  Convention  at  Philad.  Sept.  29,  1789. 

tDuring  a  certain  periodical  excitement  among  other  denominationi', 
when  asked  his  opinion  as  to  the  result,  he  made  no  other  reply,  than  that 
of  puffing  large  volumes  of  smoke,  from  a  pipe  he  happened  to  be  then 
smoking. 


34 

those  who  were  in  trouble.  If  tliere  was  aay  supposed  deficiency  in  ar- 
dour and  enterprize,  it  was  amply  compensated  by  soundness  of  judg- 
ment and  promptness  and  decision  in  action.  As  a  preacher,  he  was 
grave,  eA'angelical  and  practical ;  never  aiming  at  those  flights  and  flour- 
ishes of  pulpit  oratory,  by  which  the  multitude  are  dazzled ;  but  deliv- 
ered plain  truth  in  a  plain  manner.  The  unusual  attachment  of  his 
flock  to  their  Pastor  was  to  the  virtues  and  real  worth  of  the  'Man  of  God,' 
rather  than  to  any  external  graces  or  showy  embellishments  of  the  public 
Speaker.  This  attachment  continued  unabated,  through  a  long  protracted 
period  of  usefulness  to  the  church  and  to  the  community. 

In  the  year  1754,  he  married  Mi^s  Sarah  Beck,  who  died  without  chil- 
dren in  May  1789.  Afterward  he  married  Miss  Mercy  Philips,  who  sur- 
vived him  and  is  still  living  at  the  ag^f  eighty-three  years.  By  his  tem- 
perate and  regular  mode  of  living,  his  health  and  usefulness  were  unim- 
paired to  an  unusually  advanced  age.  During  a  few  of  the  last  years  of  his 
life,  he  suffered  from  occasional  attacks  of  the  gout ;  by  one  of  which  he 
was  suddenly  removed,  on  the  tenth  of  Sept.  1803  in  the  seventy-sixth  year 
of  his  age  and  the  fifty-first  of  his  ministry.  On  the  thirteenth  his  re- 
mains were  interred  in  the  church-yard  ;  —  the  Rev.  Dr  Parker,  of  Boston, 
preached  on  the  occasion  and  performed  the  burial  service  in  presence  of 
the  largest  assembly  ever  witnessed  on  a  similar  occasion  in  this  place.  — 
A  handsome  marble  monument,  as  a  testimony  of  their  respect,  was  soon 
after  erected  over  his  grave  by  his  afiectionate  parishioners.  During  the 
week  previous  to  his  decease,  he  preached  the  first  annual  discourse  be- 
fore the  Plumane  Society  of  this  town  and  vicinity.  On  the  Lord's  day 
previous  to  his  death,  he  appeared  to  be  indisposed ;  but  attended  to  di- 
vine service  and  preached  both  parts  of  the  day,  prayers  being  read  by 
his  assistant,  who  afterward  was  his  successor.  He  was  preparing 
to  commence  a  journey  to  Portland,  Me.  the  week  following,  to  con- 
secrate the  Church  then  recently  finished  ;  from  which  he  was  prevented 
by  death. 

The  building,  in  which  we  are  now  assembled,  was  erected  in  the  year 
1800,  The  corner-stone  was  laid  May,*  twenty-second,  and  the  Church 
was  consecrated  on  the  eighth  of  October  following. 

*The  Corner-stone  was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies,  by  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Mass.  Divine  service  was  performed  by  Bishop  Bass  in  the 
second  Presbyterian  Church ;  thence  a  procession  passed  to  the  site  of  the 
New  Church,  entering  under  a  triumphal  arch,  on  which  was  written  in 
letters  of  gold.  Holiness  to  the  Lord.  Under  the  Corner-stone  were  de- 
posited a  great  variety  of  coins  of  this  and  other  countries  of  ancient  and 
modern  date,  —  several  Medals,  —  a  Plate  engraved  in  Hebrew  and  Ma- 
sonic characters,  and  another  on  which  was  the  following  inscription, — 
The  Corner-stone  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Isewburyport,  (founded  A.  D. 
1738)  was  laid  by  the  Rev.  Bro.  Edward  Bass,  Bishop  of  Mass.  and  Rector 
of  this  Church,  — assisted  by  M.  W.  S.  Dunn,  Esq.  &c.  :  on  the  Feast 
of  the  holy  Ascension,  in  the  year  of  Grace  M.D.CCC.  and  of  the  United 
States,  XXIV. 

On  this  occasion  an  Address  was  delivered  by  Rev.   Dr  Bentley, —  a 


35 

The  Commuaion  Plate,  consistiog  of  a  Flagon,  inscribed  on  the  bot- 
tom '  The  gift  of  K.  William  and  Q.  Mary  to  the  Reverend  Samuel 
Myles  for  the  use  of  their  Majesties  Chappell  in  New  England,  1694.'; 
a  Chalice  or  silver  Cup  with  the  inscription  'Ex  done  Johannis  Mills 
1693.'  —  another  silver  Cup,  presented  by  the  female  communicants 
of  Saint  Paul's  Church,  1812,  and  a  silver  Paten,  presented  by  Hon. 
D.  A.  Tyng,  Esq.  —  v/ith  a  large  silver  Christening  Bason,  presented  by 
Capt.  Richard  Brown,*  are  in  the  present  keeping  and  use  of  the  Church. 

congregational  Minister  of  Salem;  from  v/hich  the  following  extract  will 
be  interesting  — 

'Not  a  century  has  passed,  since  the  presence  of  a  dignitary  of  the 
English  Church,  Dean  Berkeley,  the  celebrated  Bishop  of  Cioyne,  and  the 
existence  of  the  son  of  a  Bishop,  (Burnet)  as  a  Govcrnour,  were  accom- 
panied with  distressing  fears.  The  well-intended  zeal  of  Arch-Bishop 
Seeker  was  repulsed  with  all  the  passion,  which  belongs  to  the  extreme 
danger  of  loosing  religious  liberty.  But  our  happy  Constitution  has  per- 
formed wonders.  We  rejoice  to  find  the  two  great  causes  of  our  worst 
apprehensions  removed.  The  power  of  any  Church  is  only  the  power, 
which  consent  can  give  it;  and  the  terms  of  any  communion  are  not  in- 
dispensable in  order  to  possess  civil  privileges.  Generous  were  the  early 
efforts  of  this  townt  to  prevent  oppression  in  any  form,  when  its  first  Pas- 
tors opened  wide  the  doors  of  the  Church,  because  through  them  every 
man  v/as  obliged  to  pass  to  his  Rights  as  a  Freeman. 

How  happy  is  it,  on  the  same  ground  to  remember,  that  from  all  Pro- 
testant and  reformed  communions,  we  are  assembled  to  assist  a  Primitive 
Bishop  in  the  foundation  of  a  Church,  Avhose  communion  can  no  longer 
provoke  a  fear,  and  which  was  ^  the  gloni  of  the  Reformation.''  *  *  *  Nor 
can  v/e  refuse  to  see  in  favourable  attitudes  the  disposition  which  the  Com- 
munion of  the  English  Church  has  discovered  in  these  United  States.  — 
We  turn  to  the  Constitution  of  Virginia.  We  find  a  Church  possessing, 
unrivalled,  every  advantage  for  the  exclusive  establishment  of  its  Com- 
munion,—  refusing  this  opportunity  to  assume  the  power  to  oppress. — 
It  boldly  disclaimed  all  pretensions;  it  made  the  offers  of  equal  liberty, 
before  any  sect  came  to  claim  the  blesssing.  It  did  not  exclude  even 
Catholics  from  the  highest  offices  of  State.  Happy  it  would  be  if  Massa- 
chusetts could  make  the  same  declaration  !' 

t  Mr  Lechford,  who  was  in  the  Colony  1641,  says,  some  Churches  are 
of  opinion,  that  any  may  be  admitted  to  Church-fellowship  that  are  not 
extremely  ignorant  or  scandalous,  but  this  they  are  not  very  forvv'ard 
to  practice,  except  at  Newbury.  In  this  Church  Mr  Noyes  is  Pastor  and 
Mr  Parker,  Teacher. 

Those,  v/ho  wish  to  examine  the  whole  matter,  are  referred  to  a  work 
entitled  'The  temple  measured,'  by  James  Noyes,  Pastor  of  Newbury,  N. 
Eng.  Lon.  1647,  pp  95.  sm.  Quarto. 

*Capt.  Pi,.  B.  was  a  native  of  England  —  came  from  the  W.  Indies  to 
this  town,  married  a  Miss  Hudson  and  died  Feb.  26,  aged  43.  Capt  Dan- 
iel Marquand  married  his  Widow,  from  whom  are  the  descendants  of  that 
name  and  one  family  of  Jenkins  He  was  interred  in  the  burying  ground 
on  the  Plains. 

The  only  record  of  plate  belonging  to  this  church,  is  contained  in  the  fol- 
lowing vote  —  'Voted  also  to  address  and  solicit  the  Governour  to  grant 
the  plate  given  by  his  Majesty  for  the  use  of  said  Church' — April  1.,  1771. 


36 

A  preseui  of  8333,3:^,  was  iiiude  by  the  late  Timothy  Dexter,  Esq.  lor  the 
fiiiishini;;  ami  oriiaraeiitini,^  of  the  Church;  of  which  a  memorial  is  kept  in 
a  gilt  frame,  in  the  Vestry.  The  room,  added  to  the  Church  and  used  for 
Sunday  School,  Vestry  meetings  and  lectures,  was  opened  Jan.  1832.  — 
The  Organ  in  present  use  was  built  in  this  town,  and  first  used  on  Christ- 
mas, 1833.  Mr  Daniel  Bayley  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  Clerk.* 
He  was  a  zealous  churchman ;  had  the  care,  at  times,  of  the  organ  and  the 
music,  —  collected  the  taxes  and  in  many  ways  rendered  himself  highly 
useful  and  respected.  The  office  of  Clerk  has  for  several  years  been  dis- 
continued ; —  but  several  of  his  posterity  have  inherited  his  attachment 
and  still  continue  in  the  discharge  of  similar  useful  and  honourable  em- 
ployments. 

The  present  Incumbent  of  this  Parish,  being  the  fifth  in  succession  of  the 
Episcopal  Clergy,  was  admitted  to  the  order  of  Deacons  by  Bishop  Bass  in 
July  1803, —  in  November,  he  was  invited  to  the  Rectorship,  and  in  July 
of  the  year  following  received  Priest's  orders  from  Bishop  Moore  of  New- 
York.  Withia  the  period  of  thirty-four  years,  since  he  first  commenced 
the  office  of  the  ministry  here,  (which  is  the  place  of  his  nativity,  where 
he  first  entered  on  the  sacred  office,  and  to  Avhich  his  ministrations  have 
been  chiefly  confined,)  there  have  been  891  persons  baptized,  191  have  re- 
ceived the  holy  Rite  of  Confirmation  ;  146  couple  have  been  connected  in 
marriage,  and  404  have  been  consigned  to  the  grave,  the  final  house  of  all 
living.  The  number  of  communicants  at  that  time  was  about  30,  the  pres- 
ent number  is  nearly  100.  Twenty-two  children  usually  attended  the  cate- 
chisings;  the  present  attendants  at  Sunday  school  are  about  70.  None, 
who  have  regularly  attended  the  catechetical  instructions  of  the  Church, 
have  been  charged  with  flagrant  offences  ;  —  none  are  recollected  to  have 
suffered  a  criminal  prosecution;  while  a  considerable  number  have  given  de- 
cided evidence  of  vital  piety.  The  result,  on  the  whole,  has  been  highly 
auspicious  ;  and  we  look  abroad  with  delight  on  many  shining  ornaments 
of  both  sexes,  which,  either  in  private  families,  in  the  Church  or  in  the  more 
common  departments  of  Society,  are  filling  stations  of  usefulness  and 
honour.  Could  they  have  been  permitted  to  have  been  present  on  this 
occasion,  the  sight  would  have  inspired  lively  gratitude  and  joy  at  the 
success,  with  which  our  humble  efforts  have  been  crowned.  From  this 
nursery,  it  affords  unfeigned  pleasure  to  observe,  that  ten  persons  within 
thirty  years,  have  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Church ;  six  others  may  be 
added,  who  proceeded  from  the  vicinity  and  were  partially  connected  with 
it ;  and  there  are  a  few  besides,  now  preparing  themselves  for  the  same 
profession. 

The  number  of  families,  belonging  to  this  Church  may  be  estimated  at 

*  His  successors  in  office  were  Messrs,  Thomas  Tannatt,  Enoch  San- 
born, Andrew  Lackey,  Robert  Hervey,  Joseph  Morss. 

The  first  interment  in  the  Church  Yard  Avas  that  of  a  child  of  Ambroze 
Davis,  July  17,  1742,  aged  seventeen  months. 


37 

about  one  hundred  and  twenty  ;  which  is  larger  than  that  of  any  preced- 
ing period,  of  which  there  is  any  authentic  account.     The  princi')a!  losses 
have  been  incurred  by  death,  or  removal  from  the  town.     The  influence 
of  the  discipline,  doctrines  and   liturgy  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  —  after 
candid  examination,  has  been  sufficient  to  secure  permanent  attachment. 
After  having  been  safely  conducted  by  its  guidance  through  the  extremes 
of  speculative  errour  and  fanatical  delusion,  the  retrospect  inspires  thera 
with  gratitude,  and  with  fresh  resolution  to  persevere  to  the  end :  and 
having  persevered  '  through  evil  report  and  good  report,'  they  feel  justified 
at  the  bar  of  conscience,  and  gratified  with  the  favourable  suffrage   of 
those,  who  once  condemned  them  for  'not  running  to  the  same  excess'  with 
themselves.  —  There  has  been  in  this  congregation  a  prevailing  harmony 
and  unanimity.     Private  dissensions   have  seldom  been  suffered  to  inter- 
rupt public  peace  :  and  if  the  evidence  of  righteousness  and  peace,  —  a 
disposition  to  do  good,*  to  fear  God  and  keep  his  commandments,  con- 
nected with  sound  doctrine,  he  deemed  conclusive,   it  will  be  within   the 
bounds  of  charity  to  admit  that  there  has  been  a  general  prevalence  of  relig- 
ion.     In  other    communions,   there    has    been  greater    display: — but 
if  humility,   enlightened  zeal  for  divine  ordinances,  and  the  honour  of 
God's  house,  and  uniform  delight  in  the  holy  exercises  of  the  temple,  be 
evidence  of  the  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  then  we  have  experienced 
bright  tokens  of  its  refreshing  dews  and  of  the  fulfillment  of  the  gracious 
promise  made,  'where  two  or  three  are  gathered  together.'     If  we  have 
not  partaken  largely  of  that  wisdom,  where  bitter  envying  and  strife  are ; 
we  think  we  have  not  been  destitute  of  that,  which  '  is  first  pure,  then 
peaceable,  gentle  and  easy  to  be  entreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits 
without  partiality  and  without  hypocricy.'     And  if  we  have  not  been  agi- 
tated or  overwhelmed  by  the  tempest,  the  thunder  or  the  earthquake,  we 
trust  we  have  not  been  destitute  of, — nor  deaf  to — the  still  small  voice. 
The  flourishing  state  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  the  period  last 
mentioned,  deserves  grateful  notice.     In  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  at 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century,  there  were  but  five  or  six  congrega- 
tions, that  could  be  considered  as  in  active  operation  ;  and  many  of  these 
might  be  regarded  as  in  a  feeble,  languishing  condition.    Puritanical  prej- 
udice had  not  subsided ;  nor  had  the  Church  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the 
revolution  or  the  political  and  polemical  feuds  and  animosities  of  the  succeed- 
ing period.     Suspicions  were  harboured  of  its  political  connection  with 
the  Church  of  England,  and  of  its  design  to  perpetuate  the  civil  as  well  as 

*The  various  charitable  contributions  at  the  Communion,  and  Christ- 
mas celebrations,  during  the  last  thirty  years,  amount  to  about  S3,000.  — 
Other  Missionary  and  Easter  Collections  for  destitute  churches  would 
probably  amount  to  nearly  the  same  sum.  There  is  a  fund,  belonging  to 
this  Church,  called  The  Bass  fund,  in  the  hands  of  the  Trustees  of  dona- 
tions, in  Boston ;  to  Avhich  several  valuable  legacies  and  donations  have 
been  made. 


38 

ecclesiasticnl  goveni'nent  of  that  country.  The  Episcopal  Ibrtn  of 
government,  it  was  saul,  was  derived  from  the  political;  —  if  design 
was  to  favour  monarchy;  and  it  was  utterly  uncongenial  Avith  the  spirit 
of  republican  institutions:  than  which  nothing  could  be  more  foreign 
from  the  truth;  —  nor  can  it  be  reconciled  with  true  candour  to  foster 
such  idle  prejudices.  It  is  almost  too  late  to  give  it  as  new  informa- 
tion, but  it  may  not  be  wholly  useless  or  foreign  from  our  present  purpose 
to  declare,  that  the  Episcopal  form  of  church  government  was  derived 
solely  and  directly  from  the  sacred  scriptures;*  that  it  was  the  only  form, 
known  in  the  whole  christian  Church  from  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  until 
the  period  of  the  reformation  ;  and  is  the  same  with  that,  which  was  es- 
tablished by  the  Apostles  of  our  Lord,  under  divine  direction,  and  has  been 
transmitted  from  them  in  unbroken  succession.  The  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  has  been  pronounced  by  celebrated  divines  of  other  denomina- 
tions, '  the  fairest  daughter  of  the  reformation'  from  popery ;  —  retaining 
more  of  the  features  of  the  primitive  church,  than  any  others  of  its  varied 
progeny.  It  was  the  work  of  the  distinguished  Martyrs,  Cranmer, 
Latimer,  Ridley,  Rogers  and  others,  who  sealed  it  with  their  blood. — 
But  these  facts  v/ere  concealed  from  the  community ;  no  efforts  were  spar- 
ed to  impress  the  idea,  that  the  Episcopal  Church  was  a  novelty,  an  in- 
novation on  ancient  usages,  and  to  excite  alarm  at  its  progress  as  danger- 
ous to  freedom.  In  this  case  it  arose  from  an  almost  overwhelming  load 
of  prejudice  and  errour.  Extraordinary  freedom,  firmness,  moral  cour- 
age and  independence  of  mind  became  necessary  to  espouse  its  cause.  — 
The  idea  of  its  gradual  extinction  in  this  country  was  becoming  general- 
ly prevalent;  and  those,  who  engaged  in  its  ministry,  did  it  at  this  fear- 
ful hazard.  They  commenced  the  work  ;  and  feeble,  as  were  the  means, 
the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  rendered  them  successful.  The  feeble  and 
dispirited  congregations  increased  and  multiplied.  The  number  now 
amounts  to  about  fifty  in  Mass.;  the  increase  in  the  U.  S.  since  the  close 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  is  from  about  ninety  —  to  upwards  of  eight  hun- 
dred.    The  ratio  of  its  progress  for  the  last  ten  years  has  been  greatly  on 

*See  'Episcopacy  tested  by  scripture'  — a  small  pamphlet  rich  with  va- 
ried and  conclusive  reasoning  —  by  Bishop  Onderdonk,  of  Penn. 

It  is  surprizing,  when  the  scriptures  so  plainly  speak  of  the  order  of  the 
Apostles  and  of  presbyter  Bishops,  and  Deacons  under  them  ;  and  when  it 
is  admitted,  that  the  same  three  orders  in  the  ministry  were  universal  in  the 
church,  in  the  third  century,  and  traced  by  themselves  to  the  Apostles; 
that  it  should  be  contended,  that  presbyterianism  prevailed  in  the  inter- 
mediate period  ! !  Where  is  the  proof?  Can  it  be  supposed  possible,  that 
such  a  change  could  have  been  made  within  two  centuries ;  and  not  a 
note  of  remonstrance  be  heard ;  nor  a  shadow  —  or  a  relic  of  presbyte- 
rianism or  independency  be  left  behind  ? 


39 

the  increase ;  and  the  demand  at  this  day,  vastly  exceeds  the  supply  of 
Candidates.  It  has  two  Theological  Seminaries  —  one  at  New  York  and 
the  other  at  Alexandria,  D.  C;  and  one  College  at  Hartford;  besides  other 
literary  Institutions  in  different  parts  of  the  country. 

Its  doctrines  are  evangelical  and  orthodox;  its  form  of  discipline  or  gov- 
ernment is  Episcopal,  and  its  mode  of  worship  liturgical;  being  conduct- 
ed by  the  use  of  prescribed  forms ;  in  which  respect  its  difference  from  the 
prevailing  denominations  of  New  England,  is  chiefly  visible  where  the 
worship  is  conducted  by  extemporaneous  forms.  They  are  both  forms; 
but  the  one  is  supposed  to  be  offered  without  premeditation  and  on  the  spur 
of  the  occasion,  sometimes  contradictory  and  perpetually  varying; — while 
the  other  is  precoraposed,  and  carefully  adapted  to  the  purpose,  in  such  a 
way,  that  all  the  Avorshippers  may  unite,  and  all  the  churches,  throughout 
our  land,  with  one  voice  and  one  heart,  offer  the  same  supplications  and 
the  same  incense  and  homage  of  gratitude  and  praise.  They  thus  become 
the  Common  Prayers  of  the  Church ;  and  as  this  is  but  one  body,  the 
spouse  of  Christ,  she  continually  offers  the  same  devotions  to  her  spiritual 
Head. 

The  necessity  of  prescript  forms  of  prayer,  in  social  worship,  is  daily  be- 
coming more  obvious  and  generally  felt  and  acknowledged.  That  the 
language  and  subjects  of  prayer  and  praise  should  be  previously  known 
and  understood  by  all  who  are  to  join  in  them,  is  one  of  the  most  obvious 
dictates  of  reason.  If  public  worship  really  constitutes  one  of  the  main, 
characteristic  features  of  the  christian  dispensation,  and  one  of  the  most 
essential  duties  of  its  professors; — a  liturgy  or  common  form,  by  which 
this  worship  is  to  be  performed  or  expressed,  seems  to  be  an  integral  part 
and  an  indispensable  appendage  of  the  system.  Thus,  in  the  ancient  his^ 
tory  of  the  church,  we  read,  as  a  matter  of  course,  of  its  '  Common  Pray-, 
ers,'  '  Constituted  Prayers,'  and  '  Solemn  Prayers.'  A  Church,  therefore, 
without  any  such  '  Solemn  Offices '  for  the  Sanctuary,  any  guides  for  the 
devotions  of  the  assembly,  or  any  established  forms,  through  which  the 
united  aspirations  may  ascend  to  the  Divine  Head,  verges  near  to  an  anom- 
aly, if  not  to  a  solecism. — Besides,  is  not  the  whole  subject  of  forming  a 
liturgy,  or  framing  suitable  language  for  the  devotion  of  a  worshippino- 
assembly,  an  affair  of  too  much  solemnity,  and  fraught  with  consequen- 
ces of  too  much  importance  in  time  and  eternity,  to  be  entrusted  to  the 
momentary  feelings  and  invention  of  any  single  individual  ?  Should  we 
be  willing  to  entrust  to  unpremeditated  efforts,  matters  of  any  magnitude, 
which  were  pending  before  an  earthly  tribunal  ?  That  offices  of  devo- 
tion for  a  worshipping  assembly  should  be  precomposed  and  express  the 
united  homage  of  the  whole  Church,  seems,  therefore,  a  truth  so  plain  as 


40 

liardly  to  fail  of  presenting  itself  with  great  force  to  every  one,  who  is  wil- 
ling to  give  it  attentive  consideration. 

The  lawfulness  of  forms  of  prayer  can  hardly  be  doubted  by  those,  who 
consider,  that  they  were  in  use  in  our  Saviour's  day,  that  He  joined  in 
them  and  gave  a  form  to  his  disciples.  The  psalms  of  David  indited 
by  the  Holy  Spirit,  with  the  Pentateuch,  constituted  the  Prayer-book  and 
liturgy  of  the  Jewish  church :  and  are  still  used  for  the  same  purpose  in 
the  christian.  There  is  not  a  single  precedent  in  the  scriptures  for  the 
use  of  extemporaneous  praj^ers,  publicly  offered  in  the  temple  or  syna- 
gogue. They  may  have  been  used  in  the  closet  and  at  the  '  corners  of 
the  streets'; — but  the  regular  public  offices  were  conducted  by  prescrib- 
ed forms. 

The  liturgy  of  the  Episcopal  Church  is  altogether  scriptural  and  evan- 
gelical. It  is  so  general  in  its  expressions,  as  to  allow  of  all  needful  di- 
versity of  opinion  in  non-essentials,  —  'so  comprehensive,  that  nothing  is 
omitted,  which  is  fitted  to  be  asked  in  public ;  and  so  particular,  as  to 
comprize  most  things,  which  we  would  ask  in  private.'  The  language  is 
simple,  devout  and  sublime;  and  by  general  consent  admitted  to  be  une- 
qualled by  any  modern  compositions.  A  large  portion  of  these  forms  was 
used  by  the  universal  Church  in  primitive  times  ;  and  from  that  period  to 
the  present,  they  have  never  ceased  to  guide  the  devotions,  animate  the 
zeal  and  cherish  the  piety  of  its  members.  Having  endured  so  long  a  pe- 
riod, and  been  tested  by  such  favorable  results,  it  is  now  too  late  to  think 
of  change;  and  it  would  border  on  impiety,  to  discard  that,  which  has 
been  consecrated  by  such  remote  antiquity,  and  is  so  completely  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  Christianity.  These  venerable  offices  of  devotion  are 
entitled  to  attachment  from  their  tendency  to  elevate  the  tone  of  piety, 
give  dignity  and  interest  to  the  solemn  services  of  the  sanctuary  and  pre- 
serve thein  from  everything  light,  trifling  or  degrading.  Their  effect  on 
'ihe  mind  and  heart  is  elevating,  purifying  and  salutary.  They 
improve  the  taste,  create  a  lively  and  keen  relish  for  the  '  beauty 
of  holiness,'  inspire  a  love  of  order  and  decency,  of  harmony  and  una- 
nimity, and  diffuse  a  spirit  of  love,  peace  and  joy.  They  direct  the 
views  of  the  worshipper  to  Christ,  of  whose  office  and  dignity  they 
convey  the  most  exalted  ideas ;  —  they  guard  against  dependence  on 
human  aid,  or  on  our  own  merits  or  selfrighteousness,  and  point  to  the 
merits  and  sacrifice  of  Christ,  as  the  only  ground  of  hope  for  pardon  and 
salvation.  They  clearly  present  the  necessity  of  regeneration  and  a 
change  of  heart  by  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  —  of  progressive  holi- 
ness, and  the  diligent  use  of  the  sacraments,  as  means  of  grace  and  of 
advancement  in  tlic  divine  life. 

Turing  the  period,  now  under  review,   great  changes  have  taken  place 


41 

among  the  denominations  of  christiahs  around  us.  The  current  of  relig- 
ion, which  ought  ever  to  flow  in  a  regular  and  uniform  course,  has  been 
subjected  to  all  the  fluctuations  and  vicissitudes  of  the  human  character. 
It  has  had  its  ebb  and  flow;  it  has  been  tossed  and  ruffled  by  periods  of 
agitation  produced  by  human  devices  and  artificial  excitement;  and  its 
streams  have  been  defiled  by  the  excesses  of  human  passion,  the  extrava- 
gances of  overheated  zeal  and  other  painful  tokens  of  human  infirmity: 
new  men  have  arisen  and  disappeared ;  new  measures  have  made  their 
entrance  and  exit ;  and  new  'discoveries  in  theological  science'  have  been 
exhibited  to  the  dazzled  multitude,  and  like  meteors,  have  vanished :  — 
but  the  Episcopal  Church  has  pursued  '  the  even  tenor  of  her  way,'  with- 
out turning  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left,  retaining  primitive  institutions 
inviolate,  and  relying  wholly  on  the  promises  of  God  for  success  on  his 
own  instituted  means  of  grace.  The  consequence  has  been,  a  uniform 
effusion  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  the  preached  word,  a  steady  and  silent  de- 
scent of  the  refreshing  dews  of  Heaven,  a  regular  increase  of  its  mem- 
bers and  a  succession  of  devout  communicants,  who  by  the  good  fruits  of 
faith  and  repentance,  have  attested  their  sincerity  and  adorned  their  pro- 
fession. There  is  no  opposition  on  the  part  of  the  Church  to  the  progress 
of  real  knowledge.  'New  discoveries  in  theological  science'  will  be  em- 
braced, when  they  have  been  weighed  in  the  balance  of  the  sanctuary 
and  not  found  wanting.  Nor  is  she  sectarian  or  exclusive  in  her  creeds 
or  customs.  She  invites  to  her  communion  'all  such  as  are  religiously 
and  devoutly  disposed';  and  excludes  none,  but  the  unenlightened,  the 
unbaptized  and  the  unholy.  The  validity  of  her  ordination  and  ordinan- 
ces is  disputed  by  no  enlightened  body  of  Protestants ;  and  her  whole  rit- 
ual is  the  pure  work  of  the  Reformation,  retaining  the  usages  of  the  first 
three  centuries,  and  discarding  only  the  additions  of  popish  origin.  Thus 
it  '  stands  on  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ 
being  the  chief  corner  stone.' 

Let  this  review  of  the  past  excite  us  to  renewed  efforts  to  transmit  un- 
impaired to  posterity  the  invaluable  legacy,  inherited  from  our  fathers ; 
and  let  us  never  relinquish  without  a  severe  struggle,  that,  which  they  em- 
braced and  defended  at  such  sacrifice  of  fortune  and  fame.  Let  church- 
men be  true  to  themselves  and  to  the  cause  of  their  Master,  and  evince 
the  genial  effects  of  their  principles,  by  scrupulous  regard  to  the  cause  of 
truth,  respect  for  religious  institutions  and  anxious  concern  for  the  salva- 
tion of  souls.  Avoiding  feuds  and  animosities,  let  them  be  of  '  one  heart 
and  one  mind;  keeping  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace; 
knowing  that  there  is  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism  and  one  God 
and  Father  of  us  all.'  Let  them  remember  that  partial  success  is  not 
complete  victory;  the  struggle  is  not  yet  ended :  the  adversary  is  busy, 


42 

'because  he  hath  but  a  short  time.'  His  motto  is,  '  Divide  arid  conquer';  but 
call  to  mind  the  caution  of  our  Divine  Head,'  a  kingdom  divided  against 
itself  cannot  stand';  —  and  the  self  answering  question  of  St.  Paul,  when 
reasoning  on  the  same  subject,  'Is  Christ  divided?'  Is  the  church  com- 
posed of  divided  bodies  or  disjoined  members  ?  Are  differences  and  di- 
versities of  opinions  and  practices  conducive  to  its  prosperity  ?  If  not ; 
but  if  they  have  a  contrary  effect,  and  are  at  direct  variance  with  the  first 
principles  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  then  beware  of  sects  —  of  divisions, 
of  schism,  of  every  thing  indeed,  that  tends  to  alienate  the  affections,  pro- 
duce separation,  strife  and  discord,  and  banish  that  peace,  harmony  and 
unity,  which  are  so  essential  to  the  progress  of  piety  and  the  stability  of 
our  times. 

It  is  our  high  privilege  to  have  received  the  doctrines  of  our  faith, 
drawn  from  the  fountain  of  holy  scripture ;  by  men  distinguished  for 
learning  and  piety,  who  were  not  led  by  the  vain  pursuit  of  novelties; 
but  sought  for  the  old  paths  of  primitive  truth  and  simplicity;  who  were 
not  disposed  to  spin  ingenious  systems,  nor  lay  undue  stress  on  hair- 
breadth distinctions,  nor  mystify  the  plain  truths  of  the  gospel  or  envel- 
ope them  in  metaphysical  subtleties ;  but  were  satisfied  with  those  few, 
simple  truths,  which  had  prevailed,  from  the  beginning,  and  were  receiv- 
ed in  every  part  of  the  christian  world*  ;  and  adopted  a  creed,  so  compre- 
hensive as  to  embrace  all  reasonable  diversities,  provided  the  fundament- 
als were  retained.  We  have  reason  to  bless  God,  that  this  great  work 
was  accomplished,  before  the  minds  of  christians  had  been  clouded  and 
confused  by  the  endless  schemes,  that  have  been  devised,  and  sophisticated 
by  the  love  of  triumph  in  defending  them  ;  and  that  the  truth  was  clearly 
elicited  and  placed  in  bold  relief  in  the  offices  of  the  Church,  before  the 
dreamy  notions  of  new  discoveries  in  a  region,  hitherto  unexplored,  had 
set  the  inventions  of  men  on  the  rack,  and  laid  the  scriptures  on  the  wheel 
of  torture.  It  is  a  subject  of  fervent  gratitude,  that  deep  questions  are 
not  now  to  be  argued  before  private  christians ;  —  that  the  laity  are  not 
required  to  wade  through  unfathomable  controversies,  in  search  of  truth  ; 
but  may  drink  it  from  the  pure  font  of  the  Church  and  the  word  of  God ; 
and  may  stand  aloof  from  the  polemic  battle-ground,  by  which  this 
portion  of  the  christian  world  is  convulsed  ;  and  which,  unless  the  destroy- 
ing Angel  be  commanded  to  put  up  his  sword,  must  terminate  in  the  pre- 
valence of  irreligion  and  infidelity.  Let  us  be  thankful,  likewise,  that  the 
sacred  volume  is  copiously  presented  on  every  Lord's  day,  that  its  leading 
doctrines  are  incorporated  in  the  liturgy  and  offices  of  the  Church ;  and 
that  we  are  permitted  to  drink  freely  of  the  unadulterated  streams — even  of 

'Siloa's  brook,' 
'That  flowed  fast  by  the  oracle  of  God. 

^'Quod  semper,  quod  ubique,  quod  ab  omnibus.' 


43 


One  advantage  more,  which  should  not  pass  unnoticed  in  this  brief 
sketch  of  blessings,  is  the  principle  of  equality  among  all  ranks  and  degrees 
of  men,  recognized  in  every  part  of  the  liturgy  and  offices  of  church.  All 
men  are  regarded,  as  standing  on  a  level;  Avorshipping  in  one  uniform 
language,  and  enjoying  the  privilege  of  its  rites,  on  the  same  conditions. 
It  has  not  one  set  of  requirements  for  the  rich  and  another  for  the  poor  ; 
one  form  of  prayer  for  the  learned  and  another  for  the  ignorant ;  nor  does 
it  provide  for  a  flourish  of  compliments  to  the  wealthy  or  powerful,  who 
may  be  accidentally  present ;  but  the  same  language  is  familiar  to  all 
classes;  being  alike  intelligible  to  all  and  equally  edifying  to  the  most 
lofty  and  the  most  simple  understanding.  It  considers  all  alike,  as  sin- 
ners, needing  repentance,  confession  and  pardon ;  all,  alike  pensioners  on 
the  bounty  of  God;  needing  salvation  by  the  merits  of  one  and  the 
same  Saviour,  and  requiring  to  be  fed  by  his  body;  —  and  all,  as  disciples 
of  the  same  Master  and  children  of  the  same  Parent.  '  The  high  and  the 
low,  the  rich  and  the  poor  meet  together,  and  the  Lord  is  the  Maker  of 
them  all.'  It  thus  'humbles  the  pride  of  the  lofty  and  exalts  them  of  low 
degree,'  and  gives  to  each  a  just  idea  of  his  condition  and  duty  ;  while  it 
continually  directs  his  eye  to  that  state,  where  worldly  distinctions  are 
unknown,  and  where  the  deepest  humility  will  be  the  most  highly 
•exalted. 


WARDENS  OF  QUEEN  ANN'S  CHAPEL  FROM  1714. 


Abraham  Merrill, 
Joshua  Brown, 
Abiel  Long, 
James  Freese, 
John  Corney, 
Israel  Sawyer, 
John  Bailey, 
John  Merrill, 
Skipper  Lunt, 
Peter  Merrill, 
Benjamin  Long,  Jr., 


Joseph  Annis, 
Daniel  Coffin, 
Samuel  Bartlet, 
John  Bartlet, 
Daniel  Coffin, 
Daniel  Coffin, 
Joseph  Atkins, 
Josiah  Sawyer, 
John  Bartlet,  Jr., 
George  Worth  en, 
Josepia  Whitmore, 


John  Crocker, 
Seth  Atkinson, 
Ichabod  Atkinson, 
Ehud  Bartlet, 
Joshua  Lunt, 
Moses  Sawyer, 
James  Bailey, 
Benjamin  Long, 
Thomas  Bartlet, 
Joseph  Long. 


VESTRYMEN  FROM  1714. 


Samuel  Saivyer, 
Abiel  Long, 


John  Bartlet, 
Richard  Bartlet, 


Joseph  Bayley. 
Thomas  Brown, 


44 


A;  a  meeting  on  ifie  6th  April,  1716,  it  Avas  agreed,  that  all  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  whall  be  concerHed  in  the  Vestry. 

1728. 


John  Bartlet, 
Capt.   Corney, 
Thos.   Bartlet. 


Josiah  Sawyer, 


Mr.  Annis, 
Mr.  Merrill, 

1729. 
Benj.  Long, 


Vestry  probably  as  before,  until  1734. 
Joseph  Atkins,  Esq.,      Mr.  Josiah  Sawyer, 


Mr.  John  Bayley, 

Mr.  Annis, 
Mr.  Huse, 


Mr.  Ayres, 

1737. 
Mr.  Bayley, 
Mr.  Seth  Bartlet, 

1739. 
J.  Atkins,  Esq.  Mr.  John  Bayley, 

Mr.  Joseph  Whit  more,  Mr.  Daniel  Coffin, 


Mr.  Brown, 
Mr.  Lunt, 


Mr.  Ayres. 


Mr.  Joseph  Annis, 
Mr.  Peter  Merrill. 


Mr.  Peryl, 

Mr.  David  Coffin. 


Mr.  Thos.  Bartlet, 
Mr.  Josiah  Sawyer,  Jr. 


The  following  persons  were  chosen  Vestrymen,  at  subsequent  periods. 
Moses  Little,  Ebenezer  Wise,  James  Bailey, 

Benjamin  Long,  Joshua  Lunt,  Stephen  Rogers,  Jr.. 

Ephraim  Weed,  Joseph  Long,  Tristram  Coffin, 

Isaac  Weed. 


Wardens  of  St.  Paul's  — from  1745  to  1S37. 


Daniel  Marquand, 
Anthony  Gwynn, 
Thomas  Tannatt, 
John  Crocker, 
William  Atkins, 
Thomas  Woodbridge, 
William  Jaques, 
Ambrose  Davis, 
Joseph  Cottle, 
William  Jenkins, 
Dudley  Atkins, 
Michael  Dalton, 
Robert  Roberts, 
Joseph  Atkins, 

Vestrymen  to  1817. 
as  Wardens. 

Edmaud  Cottle, 
Joseph  Cottle, 
James  Simmons, 
Witter  Cummings, 
Patrick  Tracy, 
Benjamin  Harris, 
Godfrey  Smith, 
Benjamin  Crocker, 
John  Tarbox, 


Tristram  Dalton, 
Asa  Porter, 
Robert  Jenkins, 
Benj.  Balch, 
John  Jenkins, 
John  Tracy, 
Nicholas  Tracy, 
William  Morland, 
William  Savage, 
George  Jenkins, 
Joseph  Cutler, 
John  Vinal, 
Thomas.  Thomas, 
David  Cutler, 

—  Those  names  are  here  omitted  which  had  served 


Edward  Rand, 
Rufus  King, 
Lewis  Jenkins, 
Samuel  Cutler, 
Dudley  A.  Tyng, 
Tristram  Coffin, 
Samuel  A.  Otis, 
William  Woart, 
James  Prince, 
George  Jenkins,  Jr. 
John  Dean, 
Simeon  Wade, 
George  Titcorab. 


Joseph  Choate, 
George  Deblois, 
Joseph  Marquand, 
Abraham  Gallishan, 
Joseph  Ingersoll, 
Thomas  Thomas, 
Joseph  Cutler, 
Thomas  Jones, 


Wyatt  St.  Barbe, 
Abraham  Jackson, 
John  Fletcher, 
Jonathan  Jackson, 
William  Faris, 
Edward  Bass, 
George  Connell, 
Isaac  Adams. 


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